League One promotion run-in: Form guide & remaining games

Wanderers are right in the mix as they aim to build on last term’s fifth-place finish, which ultimately ended in play-off heartbreak.

Portsmouth and Derby currently occupy the top two spots, while Peterborough and Barnsley are also in the picture.

How does the Whites’ run-in compare to their promotion rivals? The Bolton News has taken a look at the top five clubs and what they can expect from their final matches.

PORTSMOUTH

Current position: 1st

Form: DWWWD

Remaining fixtures: Shrewsbury (H), Bolton (A), Barnsley (H), Wigan (H), Lincoln (A)

Portsmouth have put themselves in a strong position to be crowned champions following their draw against Derby.

John Mousinho’s side now have a five-point cushion over the Rams despite having played a game fewer at this stage.

Pompey are unbeaten in their last 14 games, with their last defeat coming against Leyton Orient on January 13.

However, the back-to-back fixtures against Wanderers and Barnsley will be tough as both sides battle to gain ground on the automatic promotion spots.

Heading to Lincoln on the final day could also prove challenging, with the Imps looking to secure a top-six finish and book their place in the play-offs.

DERBY

Current position: 2nd

Form: DWLWW

Remaining fixtures: Wycombe (A), Leyton Orient (H), Cambridge (A), Carlisle (H)

Leaving Fratton Park with a point was far from a disaster for Paul Warne’s side but it does keep the promotion race interesting heading into the final stages.

Derby now have a four-point cushion over Wanderers, who have a game in hand against Shrewsbury to factor into the equation.

The Rams’ next couple of fixtures could be vital – Wycombe is never an easy place to visit and Leyton Orient have proven this season that they are capable of pulling off upsets in the big games.

Warne’s men have found a way to get results without being at their best in recent weeks and will be hoping to continue that trait as they aim to return to the Championship at the second attempt.

WANDERERS

Current position: 3rd

Form: WDLWD

Remaining fixtures: Bristol Rovers (A), Portsmouth (H), Shrewsbury (H), Port Vale (H), Peterborough (A)

The Whites head into the run-in full of confidence following their emphatic victory against Reading, spearheaded by Aaron Collins’ brilliant hat trick.

Ian Evatt’s side will be keen to get revenge when they host Portsmouth following a 2-0 defeat at Fratton Park in front of the TV cameras earlier in the season. Fans were left wondering what might have been after Dion Charles’ miss with the scores level.

The trip to Peterborough on the final day could also have massive implications in the promotion race, with both clubs looking to crank the pressure on Derby.

With the Shrewsbury fixture re-arranged, having a run of three successive matches at the Toughsheet Community Stadium could be crucial for Wanderers.

The Whites have picked up more points at home than any other side in the division since the start of the campaign, including 14 wins and just three defeats.

PETERBOROUGH

Current position: 4th

Form: WLLWW

Remaining fixtures: Port Vale (H), Oxford (A), Fleetwood (H), Bristol Rovers (A), Cheltenham (A), Bolton (H)

Peterborough have surprised a few people this season to be in the promotion race at the business end of the campaign despite big changes to the squad in the summer.

Darren Ferguson has already got several promotions with Posh on his CV and is hoping to guide his young squad back to the second tier.

However, they have plenty of work to do if they are to have a chance of breaking into the automatic promotion spots. Sunday’s Bristol Street Motors Trophy final against Wycombe at Wembley could also affect their preparation for the remaining league games.

The upcoming trip to Oxford looks like a tough one on paper as the U’s scrap to regain their place in the top six.

Ferguson’s side will also be desperate to make the most of their home advantage against Wanderers on the final day, particularly if they still have something to play for.

BARNSLEY

Current position: 5th

Form: WLDWL

Remaining fixtures: Charlton (A), Stevenage (A), Reading (H), Portsmouth (A), Blackpool (A), Northampton (H)

Barnsley had all the momentum in the world a few weeks ago but things can change quickly in football, and boss Neill Collins is now under pressure.

There were chants for the head coach to be sacked from some supporters during the first half at Burton on Monday, but the Tykes eventually came back to win 3-1 at the Pirelli Stadium.

The Yorkshire outfit have now won two of their last six matches, including defeats against Lincoln and Cambridge.

Barnsley still have trips to Stevenage, Portsmouth and Blackpool coming up although they have performed well on the road this season. Only Pompey can better their total of 42 points picked up away from home, compared to 32 points at Oakwell.