Username
Password
League 2 Preview for the fixtures on March 29th
By Nathan Jackson March 26 2008
The last game in March is usually the day when teams realistically know if there season is over or whether it's all still to play for, and there are quite a few of those games this weekend. There are 5 games you'd consider to be a local derby happening in League 2 this weekend, with the biggest arguably being at Meadow Lane as relegation strugglers Mansfield face Notts County.

We'll start with the derby at Field Mill. If ever there was a must win game for Mansfield then this is it. With a win they can move up to within 4 points of the Magpies ahead of their game-in-hand over County. They could easily be 1 point from safety come about 9:40 on Tuesday night, and that will be huge incentive for the visitors.

Notts County are on a miserable run and it's no surprise to see them struggling. It seems almost strange that this game will come a day after the 10 year anniversary of their promotion from this divison. They also won't fancy their chances against the Stags given Mansfield's recent record over them.

It's a hard game to call to be sure but I think the advantage is with Mansfield. It's the only time all season you'll be guaranteed at least 3,500 to travel to an away game and I think that could prove the difference. Notts are hardly the most vocal fans at home and that could be vital in this derby and I think Mansfield will win this game 2-0 and then win again on Tuesday night to move close to safety.

Mansfield's opponents on Tuesday will be Wrexham, but the Dragons have to travel to Barnet first and deal with a Bees side who scored 5 in their last home game. Barnet will be motivated to gain a quick confidence booster following a shock mauling at Macclesfield Town.

Wrexham on the other hand could also potentially be just a point from safety on Tuesday night if they win both of their games over the next few days. If Wrexham did a back-to-back wins then it would be the first time this season they have achieved such a feet. They will have to do it without Eifion Williams though after the Welsh striker retired on Wednesday.

Again it's a tough one to call. Barnet are better player for player but have nothing to play for, whereas Wrexham know that if they lose then the pressure will be on come Tuesday night. I think the difference maker will be Puncheon and his goals will secure a 2-1 win for Barnet.

It's not often that you can describe a game as a near banker but Rochdale must be heavy favourites to beat Brentford. Rochdale are one of the best travelling sides outside of the Premiership and now have a very, very good chance of the Playoffs. They have had several brilliant wins on the road and Brentford's recent home form is mixed.

However, Brentford will see that a win could see them move just 2 points from the last Playoff place and that could be good motivation, however, I can't see past a Rochdale win and for them to finish the day in the Playoff place.

The one dead cert game you can predict is Chester vs Stockport. Stockport are the form team at the minute and are facing the most out of form team in the entire Football League. I can't even begin to describe how this game should, in theory, end as a BIG Stockport win.

Darlington certainly don't have an easy game if they intend to get back into third place. They have a home game against Bradford and although you'd think that Darlington should win this comfortably, the Quakers haven't exactly been in great form in recent times. Even a notoriously biased Darlington fans has stated that they don't stand a chance of the players, even though they are just a point off the Top 3.

I think that opinion is slightly rash though and I think a Darlington win will get his confidence back up. However, a draw is the likely result here and I'll go for a 1-1 draw.

Macclesfield vs Accrington isn't exactly a glamourous derby. Infact, it's likely to be one of the smallest derby attendances in the entire Football League. The difference here will be Keith Alexander and he knows how to get the best out of teams. In that sense Macclesfield have a great manager, he will make their pile of toss actually win games, proven with a very big win over Barnet recently.

I predict Macclesfield will again come out heavy victors and come out 4-1 winners.

Morecambe and Rotherham were two teams who looked like they were heading for the Playoffs and varying reasons have seen both fall away, neither now looks like making the end of season lottery. In all honesty this will be your typical end of season game that means nothing. I don't really think either side will outplay the other and I suspect this will head for a 0-0 draw.

The final game in the League over the weekend is Shrewsbury vs Bury. The latter have suddenly gone on a run that now sees them safe and one that has seen them leapfrog their opponents. Based purely on form this should easily be a victory for Bury, but then again Shrewsbury are always a side that surprises.

Bookmark or share this story with: