League Two final day permutations: Automatic promotion and playoff places to be decided

The final day of the 2022-23 League Two season takes place on Monday, with a spot in League One next term still up for grabs.

Two of the three automatic promotion places have already been filled, but one more will be secured on the final day with two teams battling for the all-important third spot.

Behind them, the playoff places are also set to be confirmed as four teams compete for the three remaining places.

Here, Sports Mole rounds up all of the permutations for Monday's League Two fixtures.

LEAGUE TWO FINAL DAY PERMUTATIONS

Champions: Leyton Orient

Promoted: Leyton Orient, Stevenage

Guaranteed at least playoffs: Northampton Town, Stockport County

Relegated: Rochdale, Hartlepool United

WHAT COULD HAPPEN THIS WEEKEND?

Either Northampton or Stockport will be promoted
Three of Carlisle United, Salford City, Bradford City and Mansfield Town will secure a playoff place

AUTOMATIC PROMOTION RACE

KEY FIXTURES

Stockport vs. Hartlepool Tranmere Rovers vs. Northampton

With a two-point lead over fourth place, Northampton are very much in the driving seat to claim the final automatic promotion place ahead of Stockport on Monday.

The Cobblers' fate is in their own hands, with a victory at 11th-placed Tranmere Rovers being enough to guarantee a top-three finish and place in League One next season.

However, should Northampton fail to win that match then the door would be opened for Stockport, whose superior goal difference gives them an extra advantage should Northampton drop points.

Stockport must first and foremost win their game - something they will be firmly fancied to do at home to already-relegated Hartlepool - and if they manage that coupled with Northampton failing to beat Tranmere then it will be Stockport playing third-tier football for the first time since 2009-10 next season.

PLAYOFF PICTURE

KEY FIXTURES

Bradford vs. Leyton Orient Colchester United vs. Mansfield Salford vs. Gillingham Sutton United vs. Carlisle

Three of the four teams still in contention for a playoff place on the final day all sit level on points, with Mansfield Town the outsiders in the race for the three remaining spots.

Mansfield's inferior goal difference makes their task even tougher too, although that deficit is not insurmountable, particularly to Bradford and Salford, while their goals-for column stands them in slightly better stead as well.

Still, The Stags would need to win their game at Colchester and hope that one of the teams above them lose, coupled with the requisite swing in goal difference, to stand any chance of stealing into the playoffs.

For the other three teams, the equation is simple: Carlisle, Salford and Bradford just need to avoid defeat in order to qualify for the playoffs.

If they do lose then the key will be to lose narrowly, as Mansfield and goal difference could then come into the situation.