As the final weeks of the season draw closer and the summer looms large it is important to remember that, if you don’t like football, you don’t know what you’re missing. D3D4 take’s a look ahead to all the fourth-tier action this weekend. See what we think is in store for your side:

CARLISLE v BURY

o None of Carlisle’s 17 previous home league meetings with Bury have finished level, with the Cumbrians winning 11 and losing six.

o Bury have won two of their last three league games against Carlisle (L1), as many as their previous 12 combined prior to this (W2 D2 L8).

o Carlisle have won just one of their last 10 league games (D4 L5), a 2-1 victory against Swindon in March.

o After a 14 game unbeaten run, Bury have lost their last two League Two games, shipping exactly three goals each time.

o Carlisle have scored 17 goals from outside of the box this season (more than any other League Two side), with Jamie Devitt scoring six of those.

Our view

Bury’s back-to-back defeats are the least of their worries with the club’s chairman admitting that the financial situation at the club was far worse than the due diligence originally suggested.

This news will come as a bitter blow to supporters who have enjoyed one of the best season’s in club history on the pitch. It will also come as no surprise to many football fans with a knowledge of the lower leagues. Bury have lived well beyond their means several times in the past and although they are not the only club to do so, they appear to be unable to learn for their mistakes.

Carlisle have problems of their own but these, thankfully, are only on the pitch. Steven Pressley is under huge pressure to get some wins on the board following a run of just one in 10. Despite Bury’s problems a win at Brunton Park is not beyond them.

PREDICTION: 2-1 Bury

CHELTENHAM v EXETER

o Cheltenham have lost each of their last seven league meetings with Exeter; it is their worst ever losing streak against an opponent in the Football League, as well as being Exeter’s joint-best such winning run against one club (also seven v Gillingham between April 1931 to October 1933).

o Exeter have won their last three visits to Cheltenham in League Two despite both teams scoring in all three such clashes; the Grecians had lost each of their first five Football League trips to Cheltenham before this.

o Cheltenham have scored three goals in both of their last two league games (W2) – they have never scored 3+ goals in three consecutive Football League games.

o Exeter have lost three of their last five league games (W2) – as many defeats as in their previous 13 League Two matches before this.

o Matt Jay has been directly involved in five of Exeter’s last eight league goals, scoring four and assisting one.

Our view

The Grecians enter fortress Whadon Road to do battle. The game pitches a team who are very good at home versus a side who are very good against Cheltenham.

The Robins are unbeaten in their last seven at home, winning six of them while Exeter are unbeaten in their last seven in the league against Michael Duff’s men.

Exeter’s defeat to Mansfield was not disastrous but it makes their life a little more uncomfortable with Colchester only a point behind them.

Given that both sides appear to have an advantage in this one it is likely that neither actually do…parity then.

PREDICTION: 1-1 draw

COLCHESTER v OLDHAM

o Colchester are without a win in four home league games against Oldham (D2 L2), having won each of the three before this between February 2010 and August 2011.

o Four of the last five league meetings between Colchester and Oldham have been draws by different scorelines (one Oldham win), 2-2 in August 2014, 0-0 in August 2015, 1-1 in January 2016 and 3-3 in September 2018.

o Colchester have failed to score in four of their last six league games (W2 L4), having found the back of the net in eight consecutive League Two matches prior to this run.

o Oldham have won their last two league games, last winning three in a row in October 2017.

o Oldham’s Callum Lang has scored six goals in his last eight league appearances, netting each of the Latics’ last three goals in League Two.

Our view

Pete Wild is suited to Oldham like corduroy trousers are to men over 50. He just looks comfortable in the role and is doing an excellent job so far.

A brilliant win against high-flying Tranmere will have done wonders for the Latics confidence and those that wrote them off may just have to think again. They are still seven points from a play-off berth but with a final push it could get interesting.

Colchester are only a point behind Exeter having played a game more but at home they have been awful in the last two matches. The injury to Harry Pell is a big loss and their lack of squad depth could see them miss out on the play-offs in May.

PREDICTION: 2-2 draw

CRAWLEY v FOREST GREEN

o Crawley Town are yet to beat Forest Green in League Two, drawing one and losing two of three previous meetings at this level.

o Forest Green’s only previous visit to Crawley in League Two was a 1-1 draw, Christian Doidge’s opener for Rovers being cancelled out by a Thomas Verheydt equalizer in November 2017.

o Since starting 2019 with back-to-back victories, Crawley have won just two of their last 14 matches in League Two (D4 L8), losing each of their last three by an aggregate scoreline of 10-1.

o Following back-to-back clean sheets on the road against Colchester and Port Vale (W2), Forest Green will be looking to keep three straight shut outs away from home for the first time in the Football League.

o Forest Green have scored 11 league goals from free-kick scenarios (six direct, five indirect), more than any other side in League Two this season.

Our view

What can you say about Crawley that is summed up by the phrase ‘dear oh dear’? With the club in freefall they are still not completely safe and need at least one more win before League Two football is guarenteed for next season.

Forest Green’s defeat to MK Dons leaves them vulnerable and a tricky run in makes the play-off race very intriguing. Despite the Green Devils not always a convincing outfit, it is hard to see them losing at Broadfield.

PREDICTION: 2-0 Forest Green

GRIMSBY v STEVENAGE

o Grimsby Town have gone unbeaten in both of their two previous home games against Stevenage in League Two, winning 5-2 in August 2016 before a goalless draw in March 2018.

o Since losing their first League Two clash with Grimsby 5-2 in August 2016, Stevenage have not lost to the Mariners in the competition, winning three and drawing one of four meetings.

o Since winning four consecutive league games ending in February, Grimsby are winless in their last seven League Two matches (D3 L4), failing to score in their last three.

o Stevenage have won just one of their last nine League Two games (D4 L4), a 2-0 victory against Swindon in March.

o Ilias Chair has been directly involved in six of Stevenage’s last nine league goals, scoring four (three from outside of the box) and assisting two.

Our view

Two sides in no sort of form meet at Blundell Park this weekend. Stevenage are all but out of the play-off race and Grimsby’s season it falling flatter Rabbit on the M25 at rush hour.

This game does not get the pulse racing with the Mariners having not won in seven and Stevenage only picked up three points once in their last nine.

With not much to play for, this one could be a right-off before it has even got started.

PREDICTION: 0-0 draw

MACCLESFIELD v MORECAMBE

o Macclesfield haven’t hosted Morecambe in League Two since a 1-1 draw in September 2011; they are unbeaten in three home games against them at this level (W1 D2).

o Morecambe have won both of their last two League Two matches against Macclesfield and are looking to do a double over them for the second time in the division, having last done so in 2008-09.

o Macclesfield have won just one of their last 10 league games (D5 L4), a 2-0 victory against Yeovil in March.

o Morecambe have won just one of their last 18 league games played during the month of April (D8 L9) and are winless in nine games played during this month since a 1-0 victory against Stevenage back in 2017 (D5 L4).

o Macclesfield have dropped 27 points from leading positions this season – more than any other League Two side.

Our view

Huge game for the Silkmen this weekend as they take on a Morecambe side that look as though they have secured their League Two status for another season, a massive achievement for Jim Bentley’s men.

Sol Campbell has done a decent job at Macc but he will know that they now have to grab every opportunity to get three points. Games against those sides in and around you are what will end up deciding who stays up and this is one of those matches for the home side.

Even though, on paper, this is a winnable game for Macclesfield, Morecambe tend to do very well against fellow strugglers, a trend that could continue on Saturday.

PREDICTION: 1-0 Morecambe

MANSFIELD v CAMBRIDGE

o This will be the 30th Football League match between Mansfield Town and Cambridge United; the Stags have lost just one of the last 13 (W3 D9).

o Cambridge United have only managed to win one of their 14 previous visits to Mansfield in the top four tiers of English football (D6 L7), a 3-1 victory in October 1998.

o Mansfield have won just one of their last five league games (D2 L2), however that victory did come in their last game, 4-1 against Exeter.

o Cambridge have gained seven points from their last three away league games (W2 D1 L0), as many as they’d earned in their previous 14 on the road (W2 D1 L11). They’ve also scored as many goals in those three games as they had in the previous 14 (7).

o Tyler Walker has scored 19 league goals for Mansfield this season whilst 17 of those have come during the second half of games, including each of his last 14.

Our view

What a result for Cambridge on Tuesday! Beating Bury away is an excellent achievment but by a 3-0 scoreline is simply outstanding. This was the U’s best result of the campaign and probably sees them safe.

Mansfield will want to take advantage of the fact that the Shakers are slipping an MK Dons face a stern test against Lincoln. The Stags have two points to make up and need to avoid anymore shock defeats at Field Mill.

David Flitcroft also needs to prove he can take a side to promotion after struggling to get Mansfield over the line last season.

Despite Cambridge’s win at Gigg Lane it is hard to see them repeating the feat this weekend.

PREDICTION: 2-0 Mansfield

MK DONS v LINCOLN

o MK Dons are unbeaten in their two home games against Lincoln City in League Two, drawing 2-2 in January 2007 and winning 4-0 in October 2007.

o Lincoln City’s 2-1 win in the reverse meeting with MK Dons in September 2018 was their first victory over them in League Two (P5 W1 D1 L3).

o MK Dons have won seven of their last nine league games (D1 L1) – as many victories as in their previous 17 League Two matches beforehand.

o Table-toppers Lincoln have lost just one of their last 24 league games (W12 D11) and are unbeaten in 17 such matches since a 2-1 defeat against Crewe back in December.

o Lincoln have scored 26 goals from set piece situations (including penalties) this season – more than any other League Two side.

Our view

All to play for at Stadium MK with a huge away crowd expected to boost the atmosphere at an often sterile ground. Lincoln will be looking to remain unbeaten since Boxing Day as they face the side directly behind the in the League Two table.

Paul Tisdale has got to grips with his charges after a iffy run back in January. With Kieran Agard firing and a midfield that is more than capable of supporting the attackers, Lincoln will have their work cut out but the most important things will be to avoid defeat for Danny Cowley’s side which is exactly what they will be thinking too.

PREDICTION: 1-1 draw

NEWPORT v TRANMERE

o Newport County are looking to do a Football League double over Tranmere Rovers for the first time since 1979-80, having won the reverse fixture 1-0 in September 2018.

o Tranmere have only lost one of their last nine away Football League matches against Newport County (W5 D3), a 2-0 loss in October 1979.

o Newport have conceded just a single goal in their last eight League Two matches at Rodney Parade (W4 D2 L1), Chuks Aneke’s winner for MK Dons in their 1-0 victory back in December.

o Tranmere have lost just one of their last 10 league games (W8 D1), though it was in their midweek trip to Oldham, ending a run of seven straight League Two victories.

o Padraig Amond has been directly involved in 20 goals for Newport in 37 League Two games this season (13 goals, 7 assists) – more than he managed in 43 league appearances last season (16 – 13 goals, 3 assists).

Our view

This is the start of a very difficult run in for Micky Mellon’s men and they will need to play better than they did at Oldham mid-week if they are to maintain any hope of a top three finish.

Newport have an outside chance at the play-offs after back-to-back wins but even Exile fans will admit it is a long shot. The fact that they are still in contention given their budget and the FA Cup exploits is a credit to the battling nature of Mike Flynn’s side.

This will be an interesting battle with all still to play for.

PREDICTION: 1-1 draw

NOTTS COUNTY v NORTHAMPTON

o Notts County are winless in three league games against Northampton Town (D2 L1) and have only won two of the last 10 meetings (D5 L3).

o Northampton Town are looking to win back-to-back league visits to Notts County for the first time having won 2-1 in their last trip to Meadow Lane in November 2015.

o Notts County have won just one of their last nine home league games (D4 L4), failing to score in their last three – they last went longer without a league goal at Meadow Lane between October and December 2016 (run of five).

o Northampton have lost back-to-back league matches since an eight-game unbeaten run between February and March – the Cobblers last went on a longer losing streak in the league in March 2018 (run of 4).

o Each of Notts County’s last seven league goals have been scored away from home, with Kane Hemmings having a hand in five of those (4 goals, 1 assist). Their last home league goal was also scored by Hemmings against Newport in February.

Our view

If the Magpies want to be a league club next season they must target winning their home games. Meadow Lane has been anything but a fortress for Neal Ardley’s side this season, only Yeovil have a worst home record.

Northampton are fairly decent on the road but no win in three has seen the season all but end. Keith Curle will not want to make sure he can keep the players he wants while cutting lose the deadwood in order to make the well supported Cobblers a force next season.

Despite Notts County’s desperate need there is always a niggling doubt about their ability to get the job done on home soil.

PREDICTION: 2-2 draw

PORT VALE v CREWE

o Port Vale have lost just one of their last five league games versus Crewe (W2 D2), although this was their last such match at home in August 2017 (0-1).

o Crewe have won three of their last four Football League visits to Port Vale (L1), having only won three of the previous eight before this (D1 L4).

o Port Vale have won two of their last three home league games (L1) – as many victories as in their previous 15 League Two matches at Vale Park before this.

o Crewe have lost just one of their last seven away league games (W2 D4), a 1-0 defeat against Tranmere in March.

o No League Two player has had more attempts on goal without finding the back of the net than Crewe’s Perry Ng (40 shots, 0 goals).

Our view

John Askey take part in his first derby when Crewe visit Vale Park this weekend. D3D4 Football have been a big supporter of the former Shrewsbury boss since he has taken over in difficult circumstances. The Burslem club have lost just once in six games even with off the field turmoil grabbing the headlines.

Vale are certainly a better side than before Askey arrived with a more attacking outlook but they have struggled to convert their chances at times. Crewe, on the other hand, have lost just once in the last four so will be confident of getting a result on Saturday.

Difficult to call but given the homes sides improvement and, arguably, greater need it is likely the Valiants will just edge this one.

PREDICTION: 1-0 Port Vale

SWINDON v YEOVIL

o Swindon Town have only lost one of their last seven league games against Yeovil (W4 D2), a 1-0 loss in April 2015.

o Yeovil have only lost two of their last seven league visits to Swindon (W4 D1), drawing 2-2 last time out in April 2018.

o Swindon are unbeaten in their last five league games at the Country Ground (W3 D2) – the Robins last went longer without defeat on home soil in the league between March and October 2013 (run of 13).

o Yeovil have lost 11 of their last 13 league games (W2), including each of the last five by an aggregate scoreline of 11-1.

o Kaiyne Woolery has been involved in four of Swindon’s last six league goals (3 goals, 1 assist).

Our view

Swindon have the best run in of any side chasing a play-off spot. Now they have to go and prove it.

The Robins are our outside bet for the play-offs and with good reason. They have lost just three times in the last 13 in League Two and beat Bury at Gigg Lane last weekend. This result will do wonders for their confidence as they prepare to take on a side devoid of any.

Yeovil are in big trouble and unless something drastic happens they will be playing in the National League in 2019/20

PREDICTION: 3-0 Swindon

words James Richards, D3D4 Football