Will Notts be safe on Saturday?

Last updated : 16 April 2008 By Paul Smith
The answer in short is that yes, Notts could be safe if results go their way. It would take a win at the Racecourse Ground, which will also relegate Brian
McParland... Safety in sight
Little's Wrexham, and local rivals Mansfield Town to pick up no more than a point as they host Shrewsbury Town.

If, lets say, the Stags draw and Notts win, the gap between the Magpies and safety will be seven points, plus a far superior goal difference.

With then just six points each to play for, Ian McParland's men will be safe ahead of two tough games against Wycombe and Chesterfield, while the Stags will be in a battle with Dagenham & Redbridge to stave off Blue Square Premier football with Wrexham next season.

Here is an assessment of the relegation battle game-by-game on Saturday, looking at what Notts need and what is likely to happen.

Wrexham v Notts County

Positions: Wrexham are rock bottom, with Notts in 21st.

Points: Ten points separate the sides, with the Red Dragons on 34 and Notts, 44.
Little... Could be down on Saturday


Ramifications: If Notts win, Wrexham are down, leaving the sides at the bottom fighting it out to avoid one place that leads to the drop. It could also put Notts safe, if Mansfield fail to win. A win for Wrexham, coupled with a Stags win, will put Notts only two points above their near rivals with two games left.

Games to play: Notts have a home clash with play-off chasing Wycombe and away game with Chesterfield following Saturday, while Little's men have three remaining with a trip to Hereford followed by a home game with Accrington and a visit to Lincoln City.

What the bookies say: Ladbrokes have Wrexham as slight favourites to win over Notts to win, with Notts at 7/4 and the hosts 5/4. The draw is 11/5.

Mansfield v Shrewsbury

Positions: Paul Holland's Stags are in the drop zone in 23rd, with the Shrews 17th.

Points: Mansfield are on 39, some nine points adrift of their visitors.
Holland... Must-win


Ramifications: If the Daggers and Notts win on Saturday, and Mansfield lose, it will be all but over. For Shrewsbury, only pride is left to play for.

Games to play: The Stags host Rotherham a week later, before that final day trip to Dagenham, while the Shrews host Chester and visit Rochdale.

What the bookies say: Ladbrokes make Holland's men favourites for this Field Mill clash, pricing them at 8/11, with Shrewsbury 3/1. The draw is 12/5.

Rotherham v Dagenham

Position: John Still's Dagenham are just one place above the drop zone, in 22nd. The Miller's recent ten point deduction has saw them slip to 12th.

Points: Dagenham are four points above Mansfield on 43, while Rotherham are on 55. Without the deduction, Mark Robins' men would have 65 and be
Still... Wants to avoid last day
sat in ninth.

Ramifications: A win for Dagenham coupled with a Stags defeat will leave Mansfield needind Notts to lose to stay in the hunt. Defeat for the Daggers and a win for Mansfield will see it go down to the final day between the sides, and perhaps others.

Games to play: Rotherham visit Mansfield and so could still have a big say, before hosting Barnet. The Daggers face another difficult trip to Darlington before the final day Mansfield clash.

What the bookies say: The Millers are favourites at 11/10 with Ladbrokes, with the Daggers only 9/5. The draw, again, is 12/5.

Wycombe v Chester

Position: Chester are still in the mixer for relegation sitting in 20th position, while the Chairboys are going for the play-offs, sitting in 7th.

Points: Wycombe have 73, while the Blues are on exactly the same as Notts with 44 points and a goal difference of -16.
Davies...Still in trouble


Ramifications: They are exactly the same for Chester as they are for Notts, while for Wycombe a win on Saturday and defeat for Chesterfield will guarantee them a play-off place.

Games to play: Simon Davies' Chester have three games after Saturday following the abandonment of their game with Stockport earlier in the season. That takes place at the Deva after a trip to Shrewsbury. On the final day they host Macclesfield. Wycombe visit Notts then host Bradford.

What the bookies say: Wycombe are overwhelming favourites with Ladbrokes at 4/9, with the sraw favoured over a Chester win at 13/5 and 11/2 respectively.