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The EFL League Two Playoffs: A Preview

The end of the EFL season is upon us, and with it comes the playoffs. The line-ups were confirmed last weekend, when the final fixtures were played, and now thousands of fans can only wait in hope to see if their club can reach the next level of English football. In this article, I will take an objective look at each club, their strengths and weaknesses, and whether they have the tools to succeed.


Fixtures:

Morecambe v Tranmere
Newport v Forest Green

 Morecambe have, without a doubt, been the surprise package of the season. Perennial strugglers since promotion to the EFL in 2007, this is only the second time that they have finished in the top ten, finishing fourth in 2010. Derek Adams has turned the club around; they finished 22nd in last season's shortened league, but were only denied automatic promotion on the final day this time. Only Cambridge, Oldham and Exeter have scored more than Morecambe (69) in the league this season. Carlos Mendes Gomes and Cole Stockton have 28 goals between them and will look to threaten again. Their defence is a different story; 58 goals conceded is the second highest in the top half, behind Crawley.

Newport have gone from strength to strength since their last-day relegation survival in 2017. This is their second season in the playoffs since then, after a Wembley defeat to Tranmere in the 2019 final. Goalkeeper Tom King registered a goal against eventual champions Cheltenham in January of this year, in one of many highlights en route to finishing fifth. A total of 42 goals conceded is the best of the playoff sides, with 18 clean sheets kept. However, no Newport player has broken into double figures in goalscoring terms; Tristan Abrahams and Padraig Amond are the top scorers with 8 goals apiece.

Forest Green are another side in the League Two playoffs for the second time in three seasons, having finished fifth in 2019. They failed to reach Wembley that year, after a semi-final defeat to Tranmere. They finished sixth this season - the teams in fifth, sixth and seventh were separated only by goal difference, having got 73 points each. Jamille Matt is their top scorer with 16 league goals, with Aaron Collins also achieving double figures. They won their final two games of the season, but failed to win a single game in April.

Tranmere are a strange case - they have reached the playoffs, but sacked their manager after the final game of the season! Keith Hill was dismissed after Tranmere after only winning two of their last eleven games, with assistant Ian Dawes taking charge. They have recent history in the League Two playoffs - they beat Forest Green and Newport to gain promotion two years ago, before coming back down last season. James Vaughan has 18 league goals this season - only two strikers have scored more in the division this campaign.

Verdict:

Tranmere have experience to draw from, given their promotion via the playoffs two years ago. Morecambe will have to recover from missing out on promotion on the final day. Contrasting form and emotions make this a difficult one to call - I think that, although free-scoring Morecambe could easily go through, their defence could be their downfall. Tranmere will just about make experience count. Expect goals.

Tranmere 3-2 Morecambe
Morecambe 2-2 Tranmere

Newport and Forest Green could be just as tight, with both teams finishing on the same points being evidence of that. Forest Green have not lost to Newport in their two league meetings this season - that could be a factor here. Jamille Matt will be an important presence as well. I'm going for Forest Green, but it won't be comprehensive.

Newport 1-2 Forest Green
Forest Green 1-1 Newport

If Tranmere reach the final, they will have nothing to fear, having beaten both Newport and Forest Green in the 2019 playoffs. I think they will go up if they get past Morecambe, but I think the final will be an edgy affair.

Tranmere 1-1 Forest Green (Tranmere win on penalties)

Good luck to all teams, and thank you for reading.

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