The obstacles that lie in wait for Portsmouth, Charlton, Oxford and Gillingham in race for sixth place

After dropping yet more points in midweek – this time against relegation-threatened Swindon – the Blues are most likely now fighting for sixth place in League One.

Blackpool look to have all but secured fifth, which leaves four sides – Pompey, Oxford United, Charlton Athletic and Gillingham – fighting it out for the last remaining chance to extend their season and the only remaining avenue that leads straight to the Championship.

The sixth-placed Addicks currently hold the advantage, but Pompey and the other fellow tier-two-chasers can still out-sprint them to the line.

League One is still as unpredictable as ever, so by May 9, any of these sides could be planning for Wembley, and socially distanced celebrations.

Below, we analyse the contenders’ final fixtures, form and likelihood of making the play-offs.

Pompey

Position: 8th.

Points: 65 from 42 matches, +12 goal difference.

Games remaining: 4.

Fixtures left

Bristol Rovers (H) – April 24

Accrington Stanley (A) – April 27

AFC Wimbledon (A) May 1

Accrington Stanley (H) May 9

Form (past five games: P5 W1 D1 L3.

3-1 – L – Swindon Town

1-0 – L – MK Dons

0-0 – D – Crewe Alexandra

2-1 – L – Burton Albion

1-0 – W – Wigan Athletic

Verdict

On paper, Pompey have easier games remaining compared to the rest, but that seems to count for little at present.

So far this season, the Blues have only gathered 13 points from a possible 27 against the current bottom five sides.

Bristol Rovers will be fighting for their lives to avoid relegation when they go head-to-head with the Blues tomorrow.

The same could apply to Wimbledon, who remain far from safe.

Meanwhile, Accrington Stanley have won twice in their past five games, including against promotion-chasing Oxford United.

These fixtures won’t be easy pickings for Pompey.

Head coach Danny Cowley will have to lift his players out of their current slump and spur them on for the four ‘cup finals’ that lie ahead.

The Blues’ game in hand on both the U’s and Gills could prove crucial if Charlton lose momentum.

It’s hard to put a finger on how many points will be required to book a play-off spot – so best thing to do now is just go out and win those games remaining and hope for the best.

The play-offs are still possible, but the odds are starting to stack up against Pompey making them.

Charlton Athletic

Position: 6th

Points: 66 from 41 matches, +12 goal difference.

Games remaining: 5.

Fixtures left

Peterborough United (H) April 24

Crewe Alexandra (H) April 27

Accrington Stanley (A) May 1

Lincoln City (H) May 4

Hull City (H) May 9

Form (past five games): P5 W3 D2 L0

6-0 – W – Plymouth Argyle

0-0 – D – Ipswich Town

2-1 – W – Sunderland

1-0 – W – Doncaster Rovers

2-2 – D – AFC Wimbledon

Verdict

The Addicks have recovered well since losing former manager Lee Bowyer.

Nigel Atkins has definitely got a tune from a squad which could have easily drifted as the season progressed.

A midweek 6-0 thrashing of Plymouth definitely puts Charlton in the driving seat, with key attackers – Jayden Stockley and Chuks Aneke – on the scoresheet.

Alongside them, a well-balanced midfield of Darren Pratley, Liam Millar and Jake Forster-Caskey, to name a few, ensure they main the biggest threat to Pompey’s play-off ambitions.

They’re currently the favourites to nail down that much-coveted sixth-place in the table.

But Charlton’s star players will all have to maintain their recent high standards due to their challenging run-in.

Title-chasers Peterborough and Hull City will both be visiting The Valley, as well as play-off rivals Lincoln City.

Despite their game in hand on the Blues, they could easily drop points, which Pompey fans will have their fingers crossed for.

Oxford United

Position: 7th

Points: 65 from 43 matches, +14 goal difference.

Games Remaining: 3

Fixtures left

Plymouth Argyle (H) April 24

Shrewsbury Town (A) May 1

Burton Albion (H) May 9

Form (past five games): P5 W3 D0 L2

2-1 – L – AFC Wimbledon

3-2 – W – Gillingham

4-1 – W – Shrewsbury Town

6-0 – W – Crewe Alexandra

2-1 – L – Accrington Stanley

Verdict

The U’s will arguably have to win at least two of their remaining three matches to secure sixth place.

The hope for Blues fans is that Plymouth respond to their 6-0 drubbing at the hands of Charlton in midweek like both Crewe and MK Dons did when Pompey played them following similar humblings.

Shrewsbury also need to arrest recent worrying form that has seen them win just one of their past seven games.

Meanwhile, Burton Albion will need to maintain the excellent work Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has brought into the club since his arrival at the start of the year.

Despite their play-off pedigree, which Pompey know all too well, Oxford may not have enough matches left to secure their place in the top six.

Gillingham

Position: 9th

Points: 62 in 43 games - +2 goal difference

Games Remaining: 3

Fixtures left

Northampton Town (H) April 24

Burton Albion (A) May 1

Plymouth Argyle (H) May 9

Form (past five games): P5 W2 D1 L2

1-0 – W – Peterborough United

3-2 – L – Oxford United

0-0 – D – Shrewsbury Town

4-1 – L – Blackpool

1-0 – W – Wigan Athletic

Verdict

Gillingham are the rnak outsiders, but their form and gritty style of play mean they shouldn’t be discounted.

Steve Evans’ side will most likely need to win all of their remaining matches while relying on their rivals to drop points.

The Gills will also have to improve their goal difference, which is significantly inferior to that of their rivals.

This could prove to be the big stumbling block to promotion.

Playmaker Kyle Dempsey and towering striker Vadaine Oliver are their stand-out performers.

They will be charged with carrying the side and defying expectations.

Hopefully, for Pompey fans, they are too far behind to achieve their goals.