How Reading FC, Leyton Orient & Bolton Wanderers’ final 4 League One fixtures compare - Royals are play-off favourites | OneFootball

FLW look at the play-off contenders final four fixtures.

The League One play-off race has been a thrilling watch all season, and with three spots all but secured, it’s now down to the final place.

Charlton Athletic, Stockport County, and one of Wrexham or Wycombe Wanderers will be part of the infamous four-way EFL promotion battle this May.

As for the final play-off spot, it now appears to be a three-way tussle between Leyton Orient, Bolton Wanderers, and Reading.

The Royals’ recent form has seen them tighten their grip on sixth place, but as we all know, everything can change in the space of a single match.

FLW will be keeping you up to date with all the twists and turns in the race. Today, we’re taking a closer look at the final four fixtures for each of the three sides vying to give themselves a shot at promotion.

Reading FC

Current Position: 6th Place, 69 Points, +8 GD

The Royals have defied all expectations this season, overcoming ongoing ownership issues, managerial upheaval, and key player departures along the way.

As alluded to previously, they currently occupy that sixth spot with four games to go and will be pleased looking at their remaining fixtures.

On Good Friday they welcome Lincoln City, and following that they face trips to two heavily out-of-form teams in Mansfield Town and Bristol Rovers. They round off their campaign at home to Barnsley, who make the trip down to Berkshire with nothing left to play for.

Looking at this quartet of fixtures, they have to be at least looking at seven points, which could possibly be enough to secure a play-off spot.

Leyton Orient

Heading into the capital, we turn our attention to Leyton Orient, who have bounced back from a woeful start to the season to mount an impressive play-off push.

Their resurgence has been built largely on a solid defensive foundation, and their final four fixtures begin with a home clash against Barnsley at Brisbane Road. They then travel to face a struggling Cambridge United side, before returning home to take on promotion-chasing Wycombe Wanderers.

Orient wrap up their season with a tough trip to the John Smith’s Stadium, where they’ll face Huddersfield Town.

Chasing down Reading, Orient will know that wins are a must. While they’ll fancy their chances against the Tykes and the U’s, their other two fixtures present a sterner test.

Bolton Wanderers

Current Position: 8th Place, 66 Points, +1 GD

Steven Schumacher’s arrival at Bolton Wanderers initially saw the Trotters flying, but a dismal run through March and April has seriously dented their play-off hopes.

After beating Burton Albion on the 8th of March, they held a five-point cushion over Reading and were seven clear of Leyton Orient. However, a run of just two wins and five defeats from their last seven has seen them slip behind both rivals in the race for sixth.

Their final four fixtures begin with a Good Friday clash at the Toughsheet Community Stadium against Wycombe. That’s followed by away trips to Lincoln City and EFL Trophy winners Peterborough United, before they return home to host Stevenage on the final day.

Barring the Chairboys, it’s a run-in against sides with little left to play for - though, as defeats to the likes of Rotherham and Barnsley have shown, that counts for very little in this league.

Looking at the remaining fixtures, it’s hard to argue against Reading being the favourites to secure that top-six spot. Not only do they currently occupy a play-off place, but they also have what could be considered the easiest run-in, with both the O's and Wanderers having to face Mike Dodds' Wycombe.

Taking a more mathematical approach, Reading also have the easiest run-in, with their remaining opponents averaging 16th place, compared to Leyton Orient’s 12th and Bolton’s 11th.

Of course, form can change rapidly, and facing sides battling for survival, as Reading are, is never straightforward. However, based on what we see at present, you’d have to give them the edge.

Bolton’s main stumbling block could be their poor goal difference, while for Richie Wellens' side, the remaining fixtures present a challenging task.