The Notts relegation prediction

Last updated : 15 March 2008 By Paul Smith
The bottom half of the League Two table following Saturday's games.















Gameweek 1


Notts host Rochdale next looking to put an end to their current woeful home form, but with Dale travelling better than most in League Two a win is always going to be a difficult ask.

Given Notts' defensive record and momentum after Saturday, I fancy a draw (1-1).

Elsewhere I had Mansfield to beat Grimsby at Field Mill (1-0), both Wrexham and Chester to lose against Brentford and Darlington respectively and Macclesfield to lose 2-1 at Stockport on the Friday night.

Gameweek 2


Notts travel to Shrewsbury just two days after the Rochdale game with a full programme of League Two action on Easter Monday. Again I can see Notts getting a draw (1-1).

There is a big game at Gigg Lane where I think Bury will see off Mansfield to move well clear of trouble (2-1), owing to their goalscoring strikeforce against a weak Stags backline.

Wrexham should be good enough at home to beat rivals Dagenham (2-1) while Macclesfield may edge out Barnet at Moss Rose (1-0) owing to Keith Alexander's impetus. Chester will get a beating from Peterborough (4-1).

Gameweek 3


It is derby day at Meadow Lane as Mansfield Town visit Notts for what is probably the biggest derby between the sides ever. Notts are overdue a home win against the Ambers, and I think they will have the experience to be unfazed by the vociferous Kop (2-1).

There is also a six pointer at Underhill where Wrexham visit Barnet, a game I can see ending in a hard fought draw (1-1), while Chester host a Stockport side so good on their travels (1-2).

Dagenham will be drawn further into trouble with defeat at home to play-off hunting Chesterfield (1-2).

Gameweek 4


In midweek, Mansfield and Wrexham have their second six-pointers in four days when they meet at Field Mill. I see the Stags bouncing back to win this comfortably (2-0).

Then on the Saturday, Notts travel to Bury for what will be a tough trip, but one that could produce a competitive affair. I went for an entertaining 2-2 draw. Chester will lose at Hereford, while Mansfield will draw with Barnet (1-1), and Wrexham will dispatch Macclesfield (2-0).

Then in midweek Notts travel to Spotland where Rochdale will be too good for Ian McParland's men and will end the unbeaten run with a 1-0 win. MK Dons and Bradford will also be too good for Wrexham and Barnet respectively.

Gameweek 5


Notts will see off Accrington Stanley at home (2-0), in one of the most comfortable their squad is very poor.

Barnet and Bury will draw (1-1), while Chester will halt their slide with a point at home to hit and miss Lincoln City (1-1). Rochdale should beat Dagenham (2-1), while Paul Simpson will get Shrewsbury going and they should defeat Wrexham at the New Meadow (1-0).

Macclesfield and Mansfield will play out a draw (1-1), in a game similar to Notts' recent trip to Moss Rose. In midweek Barnet will find it tough at Rochdale (2-1).

Gameweek 6


Notts will make the trip to Wrexham for a crucial game and nerves could get to both sides. But with the Red Dragons set to be in more need for points Notts should be able to play more calmly and pick up a precious draw (1-1).

Chester and Barnet will lose away with the Blues at play-off chasing Wycombe (2-1), and the Bees at Accrington who will be due a win at this point (2-1).

Bury will be desperate to see off old mentor Keith Alexander (2-0), while Mansfield and Shrewsbury will draw (1-1) and Dagenham will lose at promotion hunting Rotherham (1-0).

Gameweek 7


In midweek Hereford will be too strong for Brian Little's Wrexham (2-0).

Notts host bogey side Wycombe but will want to get the job done. Another draw is a likely outcome in what will be a pressure match for both teams (1-1).

Wrexham will see off Accrington (3-1), Shrewsbury will defeat luckless Chester who have a dreadful run in (2-1), but Mansfield will put themselves clear of danger with a precious home win against Rotherham (1-0).

Chesterfield will be too good going forwards for Macclesfield's dodgy defence, and away day specialists Stockport will do it again to beat Barnet at Underhill (0-1).

Final day

Notts face a tough trip to local rivals Chesterfield, but would, judging by my predictor, be safe already meaning a victory for the Spireites will be even more guaranteed (2-0).

Chester and Dagenham will both need wins but will come up short and take just a point apiece against Macclesfield who will need to ensure they don't slip in, and Mansfield, for the same reasons, respectively.

That will leave Barnet's defeat at Rotherham (2-0) and Wrexham's point at Lincoln (1-1) unimportant.

AND MY FINAL BOTTOM HALF TABLE


I have Notts to survive by four points, finishing in 18th place, with Dagenham and Redbridge joining Chester City in the Conference for next season.

Both have difficult run-ins, but it may be a shock to many that I have neither Wrexham or Mansfield to go down, despite them being in the relegation zone at present. There games in hand will save them.

I think we'd all take that now. But I have been wrong - many times!!!