Arbroath or Forfar: Who will take League 2 title on the final day?
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It’s fair to say that the League 2 title race has shredded the nerves of Arbroath and Forfar Athletic fans respectively. And heading into the final game of the regular season on Saturday, only a single point separates the sides at the top of the table.
So, how do the Ladbrokes News team see the pair’s final league game going? Who’s set for tears, and who for glory…
Forfar Athletic (2nd place, 64 points, GD: +22)
Opponents: Annan Athletic
With Arbroath boasting a superior goal difference, it’s realistically a case of ‘win or bust’ for Gary Bollan’s men, as they host Annan Athletic.
Loons fans can certainly take confidence from their recent record against Annan. Forfar have won each of the last three meetings – with a pair of 2-1 triumphs in the borders, while they smashed the Galabankies 5-1 at Station Park back in December.
For their part, Jim Chapman’s men have lost three successive games on the road, scoring just once in the process.
There’s a bumper crowd expected at Station Park for this one, we think they’ll be going home happy.
Prediction: Forfar Athletic 3-1 Annan Athletic
Arbroath (1st place, 65 points, GD: +27)
The Red Lichties need to win to ensure promotion, as they head to Forthbank to face Stirling Albion. But this has proved a frustrating fixture in recent months, with Arbroath having been forced to share the points in each of the last two meetings.
However, we think they’ll be alright this time around.
Their last visit to Forthbank saw 10-man Arbroath hold onto a 2-0 lead until the 91st minute, conceding twice in injury time. And in February’s 1-1 draw at Gayfield, the hosts were unlucky not to win.
However, the most compelling argument for an Arbroath win is the side’s stunning away form. They’ve won eight and drawn two of their last 10 games on the road, conceding just six times in the process.
As for Albion, their last home game was a 3-0 defeat to Cowdenbeath.
Prediction: Stirling Albion 0-2 Arbroath
So, we’re tipping both sides to do their bit on Saturday, meaning Arbroath would retain top spot and clinch promotion. The question is – will we be proved right?
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
