Final Day Preview: Play-Off Pressure Cooker Now At Boiling Point!

By Sam Elliott

Strap yourself in, it’s going to be a turbulent two hours with twists and turns at every corner.

If your sofa doesn’t come with a seatbelt, there is still time to look into other living room safety measures.

The bumpy play-off picture is sure to ebb and flow on Saturday and BT Sport will be bringing you the goals from around the grounds from featured games as they hit the back of the net.

If you think the top seven landscape has changed throughout the season, prepare yourself for what’s in store this weekend.

It could potentially be quite simple - but is that just too straight-forward?

Here’s what we know: There are two promotion places up for grabs - and any one of five teams can snatch one.

They do say that possession is nine tenths of the law.

BT Sport’s coverage comes from Dagenham & Redbridge, where Wrexham visit and their remit is clear.

Win, and the Dragons take one of the two places.

However, Dean Keates is all too aware that of any side with nothing to play for on the final day, they really didn’t want to be paying a visit to the Daggers.

Of their last nine games, Daryl McMahon’s men have won seven.

Keates told BBC Sport: "You're well aware of results and we'll check them after but first and foremost it's about us.

"We go out, do what we need to do for this club and that's to go and be positive on the front foot and win a football match.

"It's irrelevant what happens anywhere else in the country. It's in our hands.”

What goes on at FC Halifax, where the other top seven incumbent Chesterfield play, will be of great interest to everyone.

Defeat for the Spireites ends their season this weekend, and the Shaymen - if others drop points - can climb into the top seven in their place.

The permutations mean it will be an edgy afternoon in west Yorkshire.

Halifax fans will be back inside The Shay for the first time in over 14 months and manager Peter Wild says: we need you.

“It’s a big game isn’t it, it’s winner takes all - it’s going to be great and I’m looking forward to it,” said Wild to the Halifax Courier.

“Let’s not fear the outcome, let’s enjoy the journey, I think that will be my message come half twelve on Saturday.

“Regardless of what culture and history the club’s got, the realities are that we are doing very, very well to be fighting for the play-offs and people need to understand that.”

So that’s three of the possible table for five well catered for, what about the others?

Eastleigh will be in if they win at Solihull Moors and one of Wrexham or Chesterfield drop points.

It’s quite clear for Ben Strevens, who has called for one final push from his players after they dropped two points at Altrincham in midweek.

Eastleigh, only sitting outside the play-off spots on goal difference, will keep fighting until the bitter end, their manager warns the rest.

He said: “We’ve just got to leave nothing out there and give ourselves the best chance possible.

“We’re 8th in the league fighting against huge clubs and we’re still in there up until the last day.

“The run we have been on is incredible. If any club manages to end the season with more points than we do, I will simply say fair play.

“If we don’t make it, I’ll probably still beat myself up over it - but whatever happens we won’t have missed out or got into the play-offs purely because of what goes on this Saturday.”

Discount Bromley at your peril, their new manager bounce under Andy Woodman has lasted more than two months.

They know a point at home to Notts County leaves open just one of the two spots.

Victory, however, ups their chances and with the Magpies already confirmed in the top seven they just hope their minds are already on the up-coming Eliminators.

Woodman said: “We’ve got keep churning out wins and we will see where it takes us.

“I thought we were poor at Aldershot, but still got the win.

“Hopefully with our fans back in and we have a duty to them. We owe it to them to have something to smile about.”

All the games kick off simultaneously with a 12.30pm start.

Where next?

The Road to Ashton Gate! Play-Off Schedule Confirmed After a pulsating final day of the Vanarama National League season, the play-off line-up has been confirmed.
LV BET | National League Matchday 46 Preview The final weekend of the season is fast approaching - and we are all going to have to pay close attention!

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