Bolton, Derby and Peterborough's play-off chances assessed by experts

Peterborough and Wanderers currently sit fifth and sixth respectively heading into the final run-in.

Derby are only outside the top six on goal difference at this stage, and eighth-place Wycombe also have an outside chance.

We spoke to reporters from each club to get the lowdown on their run-in and top six chances

BEN JONES, PETERBOROUGH TELEGRAPH

How are you playing?

Posh are on their best run of the season in a run of form inspired by the return of Darren Ferguson, having not looked very likely before under Grant McCann. It's six wins and a draw in the last eight. Cambridge was a really poor performance two games ago and hurt especially since it is such a big game but they managed to bounce back the following Tuesday with victory over Accrington.

They had to dig it out in the end in that one but the fact they did should give them confidence. The home victory over Derby in that run should give Posh confidence going into Ipswich. They limited Derby to very few chances.  

How tough does the run-in look?

Pretty tough. It is Ipswich at home on Saturday, about the toughest game in the league right now and on the last day, Posh go to Barnsley. From a Posh perspective, they need Barnsley to have fallen out of the automatic race by that point and that game might become slightly easier but still tough on paper.

Bristol Rovers at home is in between those. Joey Barton would love to get involved in the promotion race, even if his side won't be going up. That game is a must win. 

Which player rare you banking on?

Posh's squad isn't especially deep and there are a couple of players I would say are irreplaceable. Jack Taylor is the heartbeat of the team in the midfield, he's the most likely one to pick a pass or create an opening in a tight game.

And Jonson Clarke-Harris is the man for goals, with 25 this season. His understudy, Kabongo Tshimanga hasn't started a league game since he arrived in January. Ephron Mason-Clark is also an excellent source of goals and assists and out wide, typically if he plays well, Posh play well. 

Which teams will finish the play-offs?

Sheffield Wednesday, Barnsley, Bolton, Peterborough

ED DAWES, BBC RADIO DERBY

Derby are outside of the top six on goal difference at this stage (Image: PA)

How are you playing?

This is very much a bonus season for Derby. The fact they are in contention for the play-offs given where they were a year ago is remarkable. They had a 20-match unbeaten run during the season but as it has gone on, they seem to look a little bit jaded in parts.

With a small squad, Paul Warne has had to ring the changes to get the most out of players at certain times in matches. The biggest problem is they don’t have many players between the age of 22 and 30, so they don’t have that kind of ‘middle of the road’ fitness to get through 90 minutes.

How tough does the run-in look?

They have a local derby against Burton on Saturday, that is always going to be tough. Burton will come wanting to stake their case and cause an upset, Derby have to be aware of that. They play Portsmouth, who more or less out of the play-off race. That will be a massive encounter at Pride Park, close to a sell-out.

The big game is the showdown at Hillsborough on the final day. Wednesday are chasing automatic promotion, so it will have everything on it for both sides.

Which player are you banking on?

David McGoldrick is the king of Derby! He has had his best goalscoring season in his career at the age of 35. He is a different level in League One, his brain is faster than more or less everybody’s. He uses that to create and score opportunities. He has been described as a ‘cheat code’ in this division and he could have a big say in the final three games.

Which teams will finish in the play-offs?

Sheffield Wednesday, Barnsley, Bolton and Derby.

JAMES RICHINGS, BUCKS FREE PRESS

Wycombe still have an outside chance of finishing in the play-offs (Image: jasonpix)

How are you playing?

It’s been inconsistent since Matt Bloomfield has taken over, and even though Wycombe have lost more than they have won the Chairboys haven’t played that badly in those defeats. The only thumping they’ve had was the 4-0 loss against Ipswich Town on Good Friday, but, other than that, Wanderers have looked OK yet they that cutting edge to see games off.

Wycombe have been hampered by numerous injuries this season which has seen several players play out of position, but with three games remaining, and knowing that a couple of teams above them still have to play on another, there is still hope the Chairboys can sneak into the top six.

How tough does the run-in look

Lincoln City at home, Cheltenham Town at home, then Portsmouth away. This season has seen some shock results so you can’t take anything for granted in this league as nothing is a guarantee. It’s even possible that nine points from the next nine available still may not be enough to get into the top six.

One thing that ‘could’ go in Wycombe’s favour is that these are three teams who pretty much nothing to play for. Lincoln are bang in midtable and have drawn the most games, Cheltenham are just above the drop zone but don’t look in danger, whilst Portsmouth are one place behind Wanderers, but it seems unlikely they’ll push for the play-offs.

Which player are you banking on?

David Wheeler has been Wycombe’s Player of the Season (it would have been Anis Mehmeti prior to his move to Bristol City in January), due to his versatility. A right winger by trade, Wheeler has played up top, at right back, left back, right-wing back, left-wing back, in the centre of midfield along with being a defensive anchor in front of the backline.

The only positions he hasn’t played in are at centre back and in goal! He has only popped up with seven goals this season, making it the best goal scoring season of his Wycombe career.

Which teams will finish the play-offs?

Plymouth, Barnsley, Bolton, Wycombe