League One’s promotion race is really hotting up as we enter the final months of the 2022/23 campaign.
As it stands, Sheffield Wednesday sit top of the pile. They’re tied on 74 points with 2nd placed Plymouth Argyle but the Owls boast two games in hand on the Pilgrims.
Ipswich Town are keeping pace with the top two but remain five points off, while Barnsley are six points behind the Tractor Boys in 4hth place with games in hand. Bolton Wanderers are tied on 63 times but with only 10 games left, they have played more than any other side in the league.
Derby County occupy the last of the play-off spots in 6th, while Wycombe Wanderers and Peterborough United will be hopeful of late pushes.
Now though, a handful of our writers make their predictions for League One’s top-six…
James Ray
“The title race is by no means wrapped up yet, although Sheffield Wednesday are certainly in a commanding position. In their form and with games in hand, I can see them heading back up to the Championship as League One winners.
“For the second automatic spot, it will be one of Ipswich Town or Plymouth Argyle. Both sides are in good form and have teams deserving of a rise to the second-tier. However, the key factor for me is the fixtures remaining, and that’s where Ipswich could struggle. Bolton, Shrewsbury, Barnsley, Derby, Wycombe and Peterborough are among the stern tests left for Kieran McKenna’s side. I think that will condemn them to the play-offs, while Plymouth Argyle go up in 2nd.
“Barnsley should hold onto a top-six spot, but I think one of Bolton or Derby will miss out. Both have won only one of their last four but with the Trotters facing Sheffield Wednesday and Ipswich Town in their next two games, I think they could drop behind Derby while surrendering ground to Wycombe and Peterborough.
“Wycombe have a great knack of going about their business quietly and with Posh not good enough to make the play-offs in my opinion, I think the Chairboys could sneak in ahead of Bolton. The next two games will be telling, and I can’t wait to see how the final weeks pan out.”
Final prediction
- Sheffield Wednesday
- Plymouth Argyle
- Ipswich Town
- Barnsley
- Derby County
- Wycombe Wanderers
Luke Phelps
“The League One promotion chase is very exciting and the quality at the top of the third tier looks as high as it’s ever been. Sheffield Wednesday for me are the standout side this season – they have quality and depth which is vital across such a long Football League season, and with games in hand, I think they’ll go on to claim the title.
“Plymouth and Ipswich have been in the same boat for much of the season. Ipswich have lost a bit of ground on the top two but they’re still well within the race for automatic promotion, and they’re starting to look like their best again, so Plymouth will be very wary of them.
“And Plymouth, they pick up wins but they suffer the occasional loss, so I fear for them, especially with a tough trip to Barnsley on the agenda for this weekend. Barnsley, Bolton, and Derby are the best of the rest for me. I’m not sure the current top-six will change before the end of the season but there’s a lot of games left to play – if any side is to come into the play-off places it’ll be either Wycombe or Peterborough United in my opinion.
“Still, I think the top-six stays the same, but I think Ipswich move into the automatic promotion places.”
Final prediction
- Sheffield Wednesday
- Ipswich Town
- Plymouth Argyle
- Barnsley
- Derby County
- Bolton Wanderers
