The Race for the Play-Off Places
[Monday, 15 April 2019 12:24]
With our neighbours Arbroath having clinched the League 1 title, the race in the final three weeks of the season in the top half of the division is for the coveted runners up spot which brings with it a few advantages and also the three playoff spots.
Raith are already assured of a playoff place, with the ‘Loons’ requiring one point from their final three games to make it mathematically certain that they will be at least in semifinal action on May 8th/11th.
However importantly Jim Weir’s squad despite their disappointing showing on Saturday past now sit just one point adrift of Rovers in the quest for the runners-up position.
The fixtures for the clubs involved in this five-way battle for the remainder of the league campaign certainly makes interesting reading.
Raith Rovers – 55 pts – Arbroath (a), Brechin City (h), Montrose (a)
Forfar Athletic – 54 pts – Stenhousemuir (a), Montrose (h), East Fife (a)
Montrose – 47 pts – Airdrieonians (h), Forfar Athletic |(a), Raith Rovers (h)
East Fife – 45 pts – Dumbarton (a), Stenhousemuir (a), Forfar Athletic (h)
Airdrieonians – 42 pts – Montrose (a), Arbroath (h), Stranraer (a)
A few twists and turns on the cards before the final whistle on the thirty-six game league slog is blown around 5 p.m. on May 4th.
The situation in regard to what Championship club will end up in the second bottom spot is even more intriguing, an amazing five-team battle ensuing at present to avoid the dreaded drop and also the playoff berth, most certainly involving, without doubt, a few ‘big’ hitters.
Partick Thistle currently sit bottom, Falkirk, Queen of the South, Morton and a resurgent in recent weeks Alloa Athletic’s future all in the ‘melting pot.’