Gab Sutton weekly: Predictions for all the key battles on the EFL's final weekend

In his latest exclusive column for Odds Now, English Football League expert Gab Sutton (@GabSutton) takes a close look at the final-day drama and makes his predictions for all the crunch contests.

Of the 12 key facets of our EFL divisions – title, promotion, play-offs and relegation – going into the final day, seven remain at least partially up for grabs.

It shows how wildly unpredictable these leagues have been, as they go right to the wire.

So, who’s going to prosper on the final day and who could be feeling the pain? Here’s my thoughts on each final-day battle...

Championship final day predictions

Title race

Leeds can sow up top honours at relegated Plymouth Argyle if they match or better Burnley’s result at home to Millwall, but I have a feeling the former are likelier to drop points – despite the latter’s opponents still being in the play-off scramble.

Argyle have won three of their last five, taken 20 points from nine games at home to top-10 opposition this season, and finish the campaign with two of the league’s form strikers in Ryan Hardie and Mustapha Bundu.

So, I’m predicting a sting in the tail, with Burnley securing a win to nil with a 31st clean sheet of the season at home to the Lions – pipping Leeds to top honours in dramatic fashion.

Play-offs

Bristol City and Coventry are in pole positions, both knowing a win will see them into the top six – and a draw could even be enough with the three teams below them each facing tough away games.

I think Liam Manning’s side will beat Preston North End, and the Sky Blues will be involved in an entertaining tussle with outsiders Middlesbrough, but ultimately get a result that sets them up with Sheffield United in a play-off semi-final.

Relegation battle

With Cardiff officially down, and Plymouth Argyle effectively down too, there’s one remaining unwanted spot, which Hull City occupy right now.

The Tigers have a good boss in Ruben Selles but he’s inherited an imbalanced, bloated squad that struggles to play his high-pressing style, and it’s caused a lot of problems.

I don’t see hosts Portsmouth as the kind of team to be on the beach on the final day, either. John Mousinho’s side won at play-off contenders Lincoln last season when they’d already wrapped up the title – and so I see them finishing this campaign with the victory that would send Hull down.

In this instance, Luton, Derby, PNE and Stoke would all be let off the hook, as their respective results would become immaterial.

League One final day predictions

Play-offs

Leyton Orient have accrued 60 points from their last 30 games, with only runaway leaders Birmingham amassing more, and are odds-on favourites to secure a deserved top-six berth with victory at Huddersfield.

The hosts had hoped to be part of this conversation or a better one, but ultimately they need the clear out that last season’s contract situation denied them – and there’s not much incentive for a lot of the players to deliver knowing they’ll likely be released either way.

Richie Wellens’ side should finish the job, meaning they wouldn’t rely on Reading – level on points – slipping up at home to Barnsley.

League Two final day predictions

Title race

Doncaster might lose at Notts County, who still have a shot at automatic promotion, which is the greater motivational pull at this level - the title is more of a cherry on the top feel than the season-definer it is in the Premier League.

Whereas Port Vale have home advantage, a party atmosphere with a record-breaking attendance expected, and are at home to a Gillingham side set for 17th.

Automatic promotion

I think Fleetwood are better equipped to deliver a final day upset than Crewe.

The Trawlermen are managed by a tenacious underdog in Pete Wild, who would love nothing better than to pop the party at Bradford, and is also looking forward with optimism.

Whereas the Alex, who host Bradford, were in the play-off mix all season and are suffering disappointment at missing out, with rumours of a fall-out among the players also rife.

Walsall winning would almost be a surprise, having done so just twice in their last 20 games, but their last three performances have merited more than two points – they’ve peppered teams at times, and on a couple of occasions seen their opponents score from distance, out of nothing and against the run of play.

With home fans on edge, it might suit them going away, where their recent record has been slightly better, and there’s a world where they have a change of luck on the day, and Bradford are the ones who fail to win against what could be stronger opposition.

Play-offs

I think relegated Carlisle will break the hearts of Salford, contrary to the betting markets, for reasons outlined on our EFL Betting Show with me & Matt and on the Punters Panel – do check them out!

I also think Grimsby beat Wimbledon because of the form of Cameron McJannet, Denver Hume, George McEachran, Evan Khouri, Kieran Green, Jason Svanthorsson and Danny Rose – they have a lot of players who’ve come on a lot this season.

Conversely, the Dons had been reliant on Omar Bugiel’s target man presence and Matty Stevens’ goals; and while both are running dry right now, and they’re struggling for alternatives on both counts.

I think Chesterfield win at Accrington Stanley, who I thought were fortunate to win at Walsall last week and are now safe because of the result, which would mean Johnnie Jackson’s men cruelly miss out having been in the top seven all season!