As we approach the inevitable run-in that will decide who is promoted from Sky Bet League Two, we look at the 6 teams currently in the race for automatic promotion analysing their strengths, weaknesses as well as their chances of securing a place in Sky Bet League One next season.
Walsall –
We start with the current league leaders who hold a lead of 2 points over 2nd place Bradford City. As the division’s top scorers, they raced into a considerable lead going into the January transfer window with some calling them the ‘best ever League Two side’. However, since the loss of Nathan Lowe, who had contributed 15 goals to the Saddler’s total before being recalled by Stoke City, the leaders have experienced a dip in form winning just 2 in 11 with victories over Morecambe and Chesterfield as their lead was cut from over 15 points at one point to the 2 points, they hold over Bradford now. As they approach the run-in, Sadler’s side will certainly be looking over their shoulder and with difficult fixtures against Bromley, Wimbledon, Doncaster and Port Vale to come, the Midlands side will need to find form if they are to secure their place in the League One lineup next season or they risk falling out of the automatic promotion race and into the equally competitive playoffs.
Bradford City –
If we were to look into the promotion race in December, Graham Alexander’s side wouldn’t have been considered for a play-off place, never mind an automatic promotion race. However, since Christmas, the Bantams have witnessed a resurgence suffering just 2 losses in 16, whilst also winning 12 of these skyrocketing them up the division from outside the playoffs in to the middle of the automatic promotion race. This is largely due to the influence of Antoni Sarcevic, a serial promotion winner with Stockport and Plymouth, and Alex Pattison – formerly of Harrogate Town as well as the robust defence the Valley Parade outfit features, with the second best defence in the league. However, with the two midfielders injured currently along with other key players such as Lewis Richards, the Bantams are looking short for numbers currently going into a tough run-in which includes Port Vale, Notts County, Crewe and Doncaster all in the space of April. As well as this, their away form is an area for concern with their 5 away wins putting the Bantams at 11th best in the division. With this tough run-in, Alexander’s side will need to hope that injured players are back for the run-in and that they are able to win crucial “6 pointer” promotion games whilst also improving their away form to secure automatic promotion.
Doncaster Rovers –
After a disappointing 23/24 season, the Rovers have succeeded heavily this season under the leadership of Grant McCann – formerly of Hull’s 2020/21 promotion winning side. As the division’s top away side, McCann’s side have been able to pick up crucial away wins at notoriously tough grounds such as Barrow and Accrington. A large extent of Doncaster’s success can be said to come through Luke Molyneux who has scored 12 whilst assisting 7 in the league campaign so far. His influence as well as the goal scoring ability of Rob Street have helped the Rovers to push into 3rd place although face risks from teams below them in their pursuit of promotion. As well as this, their discipline record is the worst in the division with the side picking up 7 red cards in the 36 games they have played. This is something they must tighten up if they are to succeed in a run-in schedule that features teams such as Walsall, Bradford and Notts County on the last day. With the 4th best home form in the division, an improvement in Doncaster’s home form could be crucial when combined with keeping players such as Molyneux and Street fit as they pursue promotion.
AFC Wimbledon –
As the best defence in the league and in the leadership of Johnnie Jackson, the Dons have featured success in their league campaign after a 10th place finish in the 23/24 season. Through a good summer window with the recruiting of Matthew Stevens, the Dons have been able to excel in their attacking abilities with Stevens picking up 16 goals in the duration of the season so far. As well as this, Wimbledon’s 3 at the back system has worked exceptionally well as seen through the lack of goals they concede. However, their away record is their let down with 5 wins in 17 putting them 9th best in the division in away form. This is something that Jackson’s side must aim to improve if they are to further push for automatic promotion. As well as this, their discipline must be maintained with Smith on 9 bookings and Lewis and Bugiel on 8 only needing a few more yellow cards to pick up suspensions in a crucial run-in that features games against Walsall, Doncaster and Port Vale. If Wimbledon are to get promoted, the Dons must find a way to improve their away form whilst also keeping their discipline under control in the imminent run-in period.
Notts County –
Under the guidance of Stuart Maynard, Notts have been able to climb the league table convincingly during the season boosting their 14th place finish from last season up to 5th at this current stage of the season. This is largely due to their summer recruitment with Alassana Jatta arriving from Viborg in the summer whilst David McGoldrick has stepped up with the 37 year old scoring 14 whilst Jatta has managed 17 – the highest of the season, tied with Michael Cheek. These two have helped to propel the Maynard’s side to the 3rd highest scorers in the division and to their current position. However, this success hasn’t been without its setbacks which have limited the Nottingham-based side’s ability to progress further. With injuries to key players such as McGoldrick and Jodie Jones, Notts have dipped in and out of form leading to their current position even with the tightening of their defence (1 goal conceded per match compared to 1.9 per match last campaign). The loss of Daniel Crowley in January also impacted the Magpies with 6 wins in 12 since the 27 year old’s departure – although this departure has forced the side to adapt, helping them to learn key lessons. If Notts County are to be automatically promoted come the end of the final day, they need to make sure that they are able to keep key players fit whilst also trying to find a good vein of form which can be used to propel Maynard’s side up the division in the final 10 games.
Port Vale –
Finally, we arrive at Darren Moore’s Port Vale who currently sit 6th in the table. Since their relegation from League 1 last season, Vale have responded with their unbeaten run in 2025 only being put to an end by Colchester United – one of the most in-form sides in the division. As well as this, the summer recruitment put Moore’s side in good stride with Ryan Croasdale and Lorent Tolaj being just some of the names brought in over the summer. These have boosted the Valiant’s squad offering more attacking and defensive stability as Vale fight for automatic promotion. However, Moore’s side does have its weaknesses with the most draws in the top 6 – 13 – hindering their ability to progress even more in the division. As well as this, their low goal difference of 7 could prove to be a weakness with other teams above them having higher goal differences. This could prove crucial in the ever tighter automatic promotion fight. A rich vein of bad form has also hit the Stoke-on-Trent side with no win in 4, putting them from in control of the automatic promotion say to the side who must win their game in hand to stay in the battle at all. If Vale are to achieve automatic promotion in this run-in, they must ensure that their goal difference is higher and must win their game in hand whilst also finding a good vein of form to carry them through the tough run-in period they face – with Bradford, Walsall and Wimbledon still to come in their season’s finish.
Writer’s View –
The League Two automatic promotion race is as competitive as ever with more teams than ever fighting for just 3 guaranteed spaces in League One next season. With all the teams in the mix still having to face each other, it is these games that will decide which 3 teams go up automatically at the campaign’s conclusion with teams having to stay focused, injury-free and in good form to ensure promotion is achieved at the end of the season.
Who do you think is being promoted automatically? Leave a comment below!
