By theimps.tk
April 23 2006

Saturday will be one of the biggest days of the season as it will decide who has the advantage going into the final day. We now look at the possible results of the 3 main challengers and see how easily the Imps could move either 3 points clear, or be in a group of 7 chasing a single playoff spot.

These just include the 3 teams with the best chance of the playoffs, although we do also note the teams that would have the possibility of the playoffs.

 

Lincoln Win, Peterborough Win, Bristol Rovers Win

 

It’d pretty much be as you were but goal difference would determine who out of the Imps and Peterborough went into the final day with the advantage of 7^th place. Darlington would still have a slight chance of the playoffs but that would require every other team to lose dramatically on the last weekend

 

Lincoln win, Peterborough win, Bristol Rovers draw

 

This result would eliminate Bristol Rovers from contention and goal difference would again decide who went into the final weekend in 7^th place. Darlington would still have a faint hope but again, would be requiring both City and Peterborough to lose dramatically on the final draw.

 

Lincoln win, Peterborough Win, Bristol Rovers lose.

 

Same as above.

 

Lincoln win, Peterborough Draw, Bristol Rovers Win.

 

This would leave both Peterborough and Rovers on 63 points, both 2 behind the Imps, however, this could mean that City only need a draw on the final day, it is unlikely that Bristol Rovers would make up the goal difference and depending on how much Lincoln won by, the goal difference could be too high for Peterborough to catch up as well. Darlington would still be in with an outside chance.

 

Lincoln win, Peterborough lose, Bristol Rovers win.

 

A draw would do for the Imps on the final day unless Bristol Rovers do pull off the greatest turnover of goals in history. Darlington could still be in it if they win.

 

Lincoln win, Peterborough lose, Bristol Rovers draw.

 

This would be one of the best possible scenarios for the Imps as Bristol Rovers wouldn’t be able to catch us up and we’d only need a draw from the final day’s game against Rochdale. Again, Darlington would have an outside chance.

 

Lincoln win, Peterborough lose, Bristol Rovers lose.

 

This is the dream situation because a draw on the final day would defiantly see the Imps in the playoffs. Only Peterborough and potentially Darlington would be able to overtake the Imps.

 

Lincoln Draw, Peterborough Win, Bristol Rovers Win

 

This would mean that City would HAVE to win on the final day to stand any chance of the playoffs and then hope that Wycombe do us a very big favour. Bristol Rovers would still be in with a chance but would have to hope that Peterborough threw away a superior goal difference on the final day. Darlington again are the only other team that would stand a chance on the final day.

 

Lincoln Draw, Peterborough win, Bristol Rovers draw.

 

Bristol Rovers would be out of the race and again, City would have to hope that Wycombe did them a favour on the final day. Darlington again would be the only team who could potentially catch up.

 

Lincoln draw, Peterborough win, Bristol Rovers lose.

 

See above.

 

Lincoln Draw, Peterborough Draw, Bristol Rovers win.

 

All 3 teams would be level on points but City would still be 7^th due to having scored more goals than Peterborough. If this set of results did happen, Darlington would potentially be just a point behind the group whereas Wrexham and Boston would also have a possible chance of the playoffs.

 

Lincoln Draw, Peterborough Draw, Bristol Rovers Draw.

 

Nothing much would chance except the possible addition of Darlington, Wrexham and Boston.

 

Lincoln Draw, Peterborough Draw, Bristol Rovers Lose.

 

Although not mathematically out, it would mean that Rovers would have to hope last day results went their way and even then, they’d have to win by 20 or something goals on the final day. Darlington again would potentially move onto 62, just a point behind the Imps and Peterborough. Boston and Wrexham could 3 points behind the Imps and Peterbrough.

 

Lincoln Draw, Peterborough Lose, Bristol Rovers Win

 

City would stay 7^th barring Bristol Rovers winning by 20 or something goals. It would go down to the last day but a win on the final day would virtually guarantee the Imps of the playoff place due the superior goal difference. Darlington would be level on 62 with Peterborough if they won. Wrexham and Boston would also have an outside chance

 

Lincoln Draw, Peterborough Lose, Bristol Rovers Draw.

 

This set of results would make a draw seem a bit better as the Imps would be a point clear in 7^th needing to simply win on the final day. Darlington again could be in with a shout, as would Boston and Wrexham if they won.

 

Lincoln Draw, Peterborough Lose, Bristol Rovers Lose.

See above

 

Lincoln lose, Peterborough win, Bristol Rovers win.

 

This would be the worst possible set of results for Lincoln and all hope of the playoffs would be virtually gone. Darlington would potentially move level on points with the Imps. Despite beating the Imps, Shrewsbury wouldn’t be in the race despite being just a point behind City. Boston and Wrexham's season would be over.

 

Lincoln Lose, Peterborough Win, Bristol Rovers Draw.

 

Bristol Rovers would be out of the race and the playoff place would be Peterborough’s for the taking. Darlington could still be in with an unlikely shout.

 

Lincoln Lose, Peterborough Win, Bristol Rovers lose.

 

See above

 

Lincoln lose, Peterborough Draw, Bristol Rovers win.

 

Peterborough would be 7^th on goal difference and Bristol Rovers would be 8^th. City would need a minor miracle to make the playoffs. This result however could potentially see Darlington, Shrewsbury, Wrexham and Boston come into the race for that final playoff spot although Boston’s goal difference would almost certainly rule them out.

 

Lincoln lose, Peterborough draw, Bristol Rovers draw.

 

Peterborough would be 7^th, City 8^th and Rovers 9th. Again, those same teams would be involved although other than Darlington, none would have a realistic chance.

 

Lincoln lose, Peterborough Draw, Bristol Rovers lose.

 

See above.

 

Lincoln lose, Peterborough Lose, Bristol Rovers win.

 

Advantage Bristol Rovers as they would move into the final playoff place, a point above both the Imps, Peterborough and potentially Darlington. Those teams would again be in with a shout.

 

Lincoln lose, Peterborough Lose, Bristol Rovers draw

 

Depending on the score-lines in the Lincoln and Peterborough games, City would stay 7^th. Darlington could move above Bristol Rovers and all those teams would have a more than realistic chance of getting that final playoff spot.

 

Lincoln lose, Peterborough lose, Bristol Rovers lose.

 

This is probably the one that neutrals want because this would potentially leave 7 teams within 2 points of each other, chasing that final playoff spot. This is the ultimate worst case scenario for all 3 teams as it would increase pressure to an extreme amount on the final day.