Third will welcome first in League Two on Saturday afternoon, with the champions Stockport County heading to fellow promoted outfit Wrexham for what should be an intriguing contest.
Both sides will operate in League One next season, with Stockport winning the title this term, while Wrexham have made it back-to-back promotions and can still finish in second position in the table on the final matchday.
Match preview
© Reuters
Wrexham were taken over by Canadian-American actor Ryan Reynolds and American actor Rob McElhenney in late 2020, and considering the size of their budget and the quality of their squad, promotion from League Two this season was expected.
The Welsh outfit deserve huge credit for getting over the line, though, with the team achieving back-to-back promotions following their National League success last term, and they will be playing in England's third tier in 2024-25 for the first time in 20 years.
Phil Parkinson's side have won 25, drawn 10 and lost 10 of their 45 league matches this season to collect 85 points, which has left them in third spot in the table, level on points with second-placed Mansfield Town and seven from the champions Stockport.
Wrexham, who have won their last four in the league, need to better Mansfield's result against Barrow in order to finish second, and the Red Dragons will be determined to finish what has been an excellent campaign on a positive note.
Parkinson's team have the best home record in League Two this season, picking up 51 points from their 22 matches, but they will be welcoming a Stockport outfit that have the best away record, claiming 42 points from their 22 fixtures on their travels in 2023-24.
© Reuters
Stockport were a National League North outfit as recently as 2019, so their recent rise has been equally impressive, winning the National League in 2021-22 before finishing fourth in League Two last term.
The Hatters lost on penalties to Carlisle United in the final of the playoffs last season, but they have proven to be the best side in the fourth tier in 2023-24, winning the title relatively comfortably.
Stockport have a record of 27 wins, 11 draws and seven losses from their 45 league matches this season, which has left them at the summit on 92 points.
Dave Challinor's side are on an eight-game winning run in League Two, including a 4-2 success over Accrington Stanley last Saturday, while they are unbeaten at this level since the middle of February.
The Hatters will also be aiming to make it seven straight victories over Wrexham on Saturday, with that run including a 5-0 success when the two teams locked horns for the reverse match earlier this season, which proved to be their first meeting since December 2007.
Team News
© Reuters
Wrexham were 3-0 winners at Crewe Alexandra last time out, with Paul Mullin again on the scoresheet, and he has now managed 26 goals for the club this season, including 24 in League Two.
Ollie Palmer also netted in the success at Crewe, with the forward on six league goals for the season, and he is set to retain his spot in the final third of the field this weekend.
Head coach Parkinson is expected to name a strong side, again in a 5-3-2 formation, but there could be a change at the back, with James McClean forced off at the interval against Crewe, which could lead to Callum McFadzean coming into the XI.
As for Stockport, Paddy Madden, who has scored 22 times in all competitions this season, should again be joined in the final third of the field by Kyle Wootton.
The 27-year-old hit a brace against Accrington to move onto 12 goals for the season, while Louie Barry and Connor Lemonheigh-Evans also played their roles last time out, with the latter on the scoresheet.
Isaac Olaofe, who has 21 goals this season, has not been involved in his side's last two games with Notts County and Accrington, but he could potentially be back in the squad this weekend.
Wrexham possible starting lineup:
Okonkwo; Barnett, Cleworth, O'Connell, O'Connor, McFadzean; Cannon, Young, Lee; Palmer, Mullin
Stockport County possible starting lineup:
Hinchliffe; Knoyle, Horsfall, Pye, Bristow; Lemonheigh-Evans, Camps, Sarcevic, Barry; Wootton, Madden
We say: Wrexham 2-2 Stockport County
Mansfield fans will, of course, think differently, but there is a strong argument that this will be a meeting of the two best sides in the division. There is nothing substantial on offer for either team this weekend, which could produce an open match, and we are expecting the points to be shared in an entertaining draw.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Matt Law
