Play-off tussle & relegation battle awaits on League 1’s final day

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While Livingston may have wrapped up the Ladbrokes League 1 title with the minimum of fuss, there’s still so much to play for as we head into the final day of the season.

Let’s start at the bottom – where the pressure is on for Stenhousemuir and Peterhead.

The pair are both desperate to avoid the automatic relegation spot, and give themselves a second chance in the League 1 play-offs.

And it’s the Ochilview outfit who currently have the advantage, but it’s a narrow one. They’re a point above the Blue Toon, but it’s Jim McInally’s men who have the superior goal difference.

Peterhead need to bounce back from successive defeats, but face an Alloa Athletic side they beat 1-0 at the Indodrill Stadium during the previous meeting.

For Stenny’s part, they host a Brechin City side who have only won one of their last eight games on the road. So we think it’s Brown Ferguson’s side who will grab themselves a lifeline – especially after taking nine points from the last 12 available.

Meanwhile, further up the table, the battle for the final two promotion play-off spots continue, with East Fife looking to upset the odds at the 11th hour.

The Methil club need to win – and for one of Brechin City or Airdrieonians to lose – to take their place in the play-off spots. So, will they hold up their end of the bargain?

The Fifers will make the 300-mile round trip to Stranraer, but do so knowing they can beat anyone on the road this season. Having won away at Livi twice, and taken half of their 46 points (and counting) on their travels, we reckon they can do the job at Stair Park, with the Blues hardly in fine fettle.

So, will Brechin or the Diamonds slip up?

The former have that tricky trip to Stenhousemuir, so it looks likely the Glebe Park outfit could slump to another defeat on the road.

But as for Airdrieonians, we think they’ll be fine. After all, their visitors – Queen’s Park – were sent home from Excelsior Stadium with their tails between their legs in October, having been thumped 4-1.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing

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