After 2 contrasting eliminator ties, the quest to find the final EFL team for 2025/2026 continues as one of York City, Forest Green Rovers, Oldham Athletic or Southend United will be promoted to League Two. The drama continues this Tuesday and Wednesday evening as the quartet battle to reach the promised land.
York City vs Oldham Athletic
After a dominating 4-0 win over Halifax Town last Wednesday, The Latics head to York to face the Minstermen looking to make it to Wembley and end their three-year stay in non-League football. York City have enjoyed a great season, finishing 2nd and were unlucky not to win the league, finishing just 6 points behind winners Barnet and York will be looking to join Barnet in the EFL for the first time since 2016.
Form and recent meetings
York City in the regular season were bang in form winning four out of the last five games whilst, Oldham including the playoff fixture have won three out of the last five with only one loss and draw.
The one draw in their last five for both sides happened against each other back in late April in a 1-1 stalemate at the York Community Stadium whilst York won the reverse fixture at Oldham in January 2-0.
Key Players
York City will be looking at the ever reliable Ollie Pearce, who has bagged 31 goals and picked up 10 assists in a brilliant season for the striker. .
Whilst Oldham will be looking at Mike Fondop again after he bagged the Latics third in that 12-minute blitz against Halifax to add to his impressive 17 goal tally this season.
Forest Green Rovers vs Southend United
Southend United made the Semi-finals the hard way after coming from 3-1 down away from home to win 4-3 in extra time over Rochdale and will now look to return to the EFL for the first time since 2021 whilst Forest Green Rovers are hoping they can bounce back to the Football League after just one season.
Form and Recent meetings
Southend at the end of the regular season only lost one of the last five games but only two wins, however, that extra-time comeback in the playoffs will only encourage the Shrimpers whilst Forest Green only won two of their last five games and with quite a long break between games it will be interesting to tell who will have the advantage.
With the meetings this season both games ended in 2-2 draws both at the New Lawn and Roots Hall leaving it evenly poised going into Wednesday’s encounter.
Key Players
For Southend United they will be looking at Gus Scott-Morriss who picked up another assist to add to his impressive tally this season on Thursday.
Whilst Forest Green Rovers will be looking at Kyle McAllister who from left wing has notched a notable 10 goals and nine assists for the Green this season.
By Wednesday evening, we will know which two teams will be extending their season to June, a Wembley trip and an opportunity to return to the Football League.
