Sutton United must win on the final day this Saturday and hope that Swindon Town or Port Vale drop points to secure the last playoff spot in League Two.
Harrogate Town welcome Sutton to the CNG Stadium this weekend, with the hosts set for a mid-table finish, currently sitting 17th but they could climb to 14th with a win.
Match preview
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The hosts enter this match on the back of recording consecutive wins for the first time since October, most recently securing an impressive 3-1 win over title-chasing Forest Green Rovers.
Goals from Jack Muldoon, Jack Diamond and Lloyd Kerry gave the Sulphurites all three points in Gloucestershire, denting the home side's chance of being crowned League Two champions, and also suggesting that Harrogate are keen to end the season strongly.
Simon Weaver's side have conceded too many goals this season, seeing 73 strikes fly past them in 45 matches, which has been their downfall, as their scoring record is among the same as teams in the automatic promotion spots.
Those stats also suggest, though, that a flurry of goals can be expected this Saturday, with Harrogate having only been involved in three goalless draws this season.
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Sutton's inconsistencies in the last two weeks have meant that they were unable to lift themselves back into the playoff spots for the final day of the campaign, but they will still strongly believe that they can achieve a top-seven finish, as they currently sit just one point behind Swindon.
Matt Gray's side could also pounce on any slip up Port Vale may make this weekend, currently just two points behind the sixth-placed side, who face a tough trip to current leaders Exeter City.
The visitors enter this match on the back of a heavy 4-1 defeat against Bradford, in a match that Sutton struggled to ever find a rhythm in, allowing Bradford to record 11 shots on target.
The U's do not have a great record away from home, picking up 21 fewer points on their travels than they have done so at home this year, but they will fancy their chances at securing their eighth away win of the campaign this weekend, playing against a side considerably lower than them in the table.
Sutton have been awarded 10 penalties in this campaign, more than any team in the fourth tier, suggesting that they will look to gain access to Harrogate's 18-yard box on as many occasions as they can to draw some fouls.
This will be the third meeting between these two teams this season, with both of the previous encounters being won 1-0 by Sutton, most recently in the EFL Trophy quarter-final in January.
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Team News
Harrogate centre-back Will Smith will continue to be absent from the home team's squad after he suffered a knee injury last month, which will rule him out on a long-term basis.
Weaver named an unchanged starting 11 last time out, and the hosts are expected to line up in the same way again after two positive results, meaning that Luke Armstrong will continue to lead the line.
Diamond has netted three goals in his last two games and will want to carry on that good form from his number 10 role, while Simon Power and Muldoon will create width from their wide positions.
Craig Eastmond has not featured for Sutton since being forced off with injury against Newport nearly three weeks ago, meaning that Harry Beautyman and Alistair Smith have partnered in the middle of the park.
Striker Richie Bennett was replaced last time out due to injury, and that could mean Omar Bugiel has a place in the side from the start this Saturday, leading the line alongside Donovan Wilson.
Harrogate Town possible starting lineup:
Cracknell; Burrell, Sheron, McArdle, Thomson; Pattison, Austerfield; Muldoon, Diamond, Power; Armstrong
Sutton United possible starting lineup:
Bouzanis; Milsom, John, Goodlife, Barden; Randall, Smith, Beautyman, Ajiboye; Bugiel, Wilson
We say: Harrogate Town 2-2 Sutton United
Harrogate will be full of confidence after back-to-back wins ahead of this encounter, and they will want to end the season in front of their own fans in entertaining fashion.
Sutton still have a chance of reaching the playoffs, giving them the motivation they need for this weekend, but Harrogate seem in the mood to dent another team's destiny, just as they did to Forest Green last weekend.
Data Analysis
Our analysis of all available data, including recent performances and player stats up until an hour before kickoff, suggested the most likely outcome of this match was a Sutton United win with a probability of 39.28%. A win for Harrogate Town had a probability of 34.2% and a draw had a probability of 26.5%.
The most likely scoreline for a Sutton United win was 0-1 with a probability of 10.24%. The next most likely scorelines for that outcome were 1-2 (8.45%) and 0-2 (6.86%). The likeliest Harrogate Town win was 1-0 (9.42%), while for a drawn scoreline it was 1-1 (12.61%). The actual scoreline of 0-2 was predicted with a 6.9% likelihood. Our data analysis correctly predicted that Sutton United would win this match.
Data Analysis
Our analysis of all available data, including recent performances and player stats up until an hour before kickoff, suggested the most likely outcome of this match was a Sutton United win with a probability of 39.28%. A win for Harrogate Town had a probability of 34.2% and a draw had a probability of 26.5%.
The most likely scoreline for a Sutton United win was 0-1 with a probability of 10.24%. The next most likely scorelines for that outcome were 1-2 (8.45%) and 0-2 (6.86%). The likeliest Harrogate Town win was 1-0 (9.42%), while for a drawn scoreline it was 1-1 (12.61%). The actual scoreline of 0-2 was predicted with a 6.9% likelihood. Our data analysis correctly predicted that Sutton United would win this match.
Top tip
Sammy Wynne
