Well, off the back of my Premiership edition of the play off race, it's time for me to pen my thoughts on an exciting conclusion to the Championship season.
We already know the first 5 teams to make it to the Play-Offs: Poole, Oxford, Glasgow, Redcar and Scunthorpe. Now it's all about who will pick up that final 6th place, and also who will finish top and earn the right to choose their 2 teams in a new, reshaped play-off picture.
The next fixture coincides with our next meeting of the week as Plymouth take on Edinburgh, a contest between 2 sides who have been ravaged by injuries this season. Plymouth, without Dan Thompson, Dan Gilkes and Ben Barker, take on Edinburgh, missing Lasse Fredriksen, in a crucial fixture. James Pearson has been a vital signing at reserve for Plymouth, but with Kyle Howarth withdrawing from the Sheffield fixture this evening, this fixture now looks much tougher than it should be. Even with home track knowledge, I see Edinburgh edging this, and taking the 2 points.
Poole Pirates take on Birmingham on Wednesday, and with the greatest respect to Birmingham, I see nothing more than a comfortable home victory and 3 points for Poole.
We then have to wait until the following Tuesday evening to see Plymouth back in action, taking on Berwick - another fixture between injury ravaged sides. This time, I believe Plymouth can pull a result, a back-to-fitness Kyle Howarth plus the right guests will see them pick up a couple of points.
Oxford take on Scunthorpe the following evening, and its hard to see anybody taking points from Oxford at home, such is the dominance they have shown. With the aggregate points evenly balanced at 45-45, I see Oxford taking the full 3 from this.
Birmingham versus Plymouth next, and I see Birmingham having the capabilities to ride well at home. Just Sedgmen, Troy Batchelor and particularly Alfie Bowtell can salvage this for Brum, and with a top guest in for Nick Morris, I can see them cruising to 3 points after their victory at Plymouth.
Friday 8th September looks a busy evening, starting with Edinburgh against Plymouth. I see Edinburgh picking up a vital 3 points in the race for 6th, off the back of their predicted victory at Plymouth this coming week.
Glasgow also ride Oxford, and this is pivotal in the race for top spot, and I sense Glasgow will be too strong, even for Oxford, at home. Oxford do hold an important 14 point lead in the race for the BP, and I fancy Oxford to still pick this up.
The evening will finish with Scunthorpe against Berwick, and this will be one way traffic, based on the terrific home advantage Scunthorpe have built for themselves. The full 3 points will be taken here.
Berwick will then take on Plymouth at the tail end of the week, and this is hard to call. Most probably at this point, the 2 teams will have nothing to play for and injuries will be taking their toll on the side. I fancy the Berwick riders giving their fans something to cheer about, they will take the victory on the night and the extra point for the BP.
Of the final scheduled fixtures, as it stands, Redcar take on Glasgow, and with the form showing by the Redcar lads, in particular Erik Riss, I see Redcar taking this, but Glasgow to take the vital BP in a close contest.
This will then leave the 2 fixtures postponed from Friday evening just gone, as Edinburgh look to host a double header against Poole and Birmingham. For me, Poole win easily, taking the 3 points. As for the other fixture, this is much tighter, but I sense Edinburgh will nick this at home, easily taking the BP after their big win at Birmingham.
So, where does this leave us? This is my predicted table below:
1. Poole 35
2. Oxford 34
3. Glasgow 29
4. Redcar 25
5. Scunthorpe 23
6. Edinburgh 15
7. Birmingham 10
8. Berwick 7
9. Plymouth 4
For me, Poole will take the obvious options, and select teams where they will be more successful. They will have won at Scunthorpe and Edinburgh and thus will pick these. This leaves possibly a group of death involving Oxford, Glasgow and Redcar, and what a group this promises to be.
I can see a final between the top 2 in the league of Poole and Oxford, and I am certain this will prove to be 2 fantastic fixtures to end the season.
As always, I'm sure opinions will be totally different and I would love to hear your feedback and thoughts. But there's no doubt that the Championship Play-Offs - and the way they are constructed - are sure to be a great end to the season.
For now, enjoy the read, and the NDL predictions will be coming very shortly.
Nathan
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