46 games down, potentially three more to go. The League Two promotion race went right down to the final day of the campaign for Milton Keynes Dons and Mansfield Town, with the former doing just about enough to join Bury and Lincoln City in League One next season.

Mansfield cannot afford to ponder on that final day disappointment for too long; the Stags head to Newport County on Thursday night for their playoff semi-final first leg. The visitors will be quietly confident of getting the job done over two legs…

We have the war of the Rovers on Friday evening as Tranmere host Forest Green. With little to separate the two teams during the regular season, neutrals are expecting a close contest at Prenton Park. Fingers crossed for an open and exciting affair.

Without further ado, let’s get down to the action. The fight to secure promotion to League One is well and truly on – it is do or die time. 888sport is the place to be for the latest news, tips and odds on League Two and the rest of the Football League during the playoffs.

FRIDAY

NEWPORT COUNTY vs MANSFIELD TOWN

Newport are the form team in this year’s League Two playoffs – you won’t find too many punters writing the Welsh side off. The hosts are unbeaten in their last 10 league games, with impressive victories over Lincoln and Bury in that run.

888sport are offering 13/8 for Newport to secure a first leg triumph on Thursday evening; a decent price taking their resurgence into account. Rodney Parade has been something of a fortress in recent months; Newport have lost just once at home since Boxing Day.

Mansfield have lost three league games on the spin and Stags supporters will be ruing that poor run of form. Third place was there for the taking but Mansfield couldn’t get over the line and they must now regroup quickly ahead of Thursday’s clash.

However, that is easier said than done. Newport are full of confidence right now and the hosts will be tough to stop. From a Mansfield perspective, the 4/9 to avoid defeat may be the way to go.

The Welsh outfit can catch Mansfield cold after that final day disappointment. It wouldn’t be a huge surprise to see Newport go for throat in the early exchanges and 11/10 for the hosts to score in the opening 45 minutes is a solid betting pick.

This is likely to be cagey and the under 2.5 goals line is in play – 10/13 is an excellent price for a low-scoring affair given what is at stake. Newport will want to keep things tight while Mansfield will trust themselves to finish the job at One Call Stadium.

TIP: Under 2.5 goals (10/13 with 888sport)

PREDICTED SCORE: Newport 1-0 Mansfield (8/1 with 888sport)

FRIDAY

TRANMERE ROVERS vs Forest Green Rovers

Tranmere laboured over the finishing line, winning just one of their last seven games of the season. While that record counts for nothing in the playoffs, a lack of confidence was visible in those matches and Micky Mellon’s side must improve.

With just four home defeats all season, Tranmere have been a pillar of consistency in front of their own fans. In fact, 14 of their 20 victories in League Two came at Prenton Park and that makes 21/20 for a home win an enticing option in 888sport football betting odds.

Forest Green have won their last four games against Tranmere and some punters will fancy the 5/2 on offer for an away win. Junior Mondal’s goal was the difference between the two teams when they met at Prenton Park back in April.

The visitors have lost just two of their previous 10 league games and it would take a brave man to back against them on current form. Mark Cooper’s side will be determined to avoid defeat ahead of the second leg on home soil.

Watch out for James Norwood here. The Tranmere striker scored an incredible 29 goals to claim the Golden Boot award – seven more than his nearest rival. He has been the dominant force in League Two this season.

17 of his haul came at Prenton Park and the home fans will be expecting Norwood to make an impact against his former side on Friday night. If Norwood is in the mood, it could be a tricky night for Forest Green.

TIP: Tranmere to win (21/20 with 888sport)

PREDICTED SCORE: Tranmere 2-1 Forest Green (15/2 with 888sport)

*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*

Tottenham Hotspur are still alive in their Champions League semi-final tie with Ajax but the English side cannot afford any further setbacks.

Losing 1-0 on home soil was not ideal but it could have been a lot worse for Spurs after a dismal first half.

Mauricio Pochettino’s men were second best in almost every department in the opening 45 minutes but Ajax slacked off after the break.

Spurs, now 12/5 in Champions League betting odds to qualify, failed to take advantage though and scoring the first goal here is key. The 23/20 for Tottenham to score in the first half is worth considering.

Harry Kane is still injured but Heung-Min Son’s presence will give Spurs a boost. The South Korea star was sent off in Tottenham’s defeat at Bournemouth on Saturday but he tends to produce his best performances in Europe’s elite club competition.

Son will be relatively fresh for Tuesday’s clash after his early exit at the weekend and plenty of punters will be expecting the Spurs star to make a positive impact.

If Son plays like he did at the Etihad Stadium in the previous round, Tottenham have a chance of progression.

Ajax have lost just one of their previous 38 home games in all competitions – their sole loss to Real Madrid in the quarter-finals.

They have scored an incredible 66 goals in just 16 home league games this campaign and EVS for over 1.5 Ajax goals is a fantastic price.

With a few of these Ajax youngsters expected to leave this summer, European glory looks to be written in the stars.

The Dutch outfit have one foot in the final and that makes the 3/1 for Erik ten Hag’s men in 888sport’s Champions League winner odds very appealing indeed.

8/11 could turn out to be a huge price for over 2.5 goals inside 90 minutes – European matches can be cagey but the first game was easy on the eye for neutral supporters.

By the same token, the 4/7 for a goal in both halves should be snapped up. Ajax will create chances against this suspect Spurs back line and the Dutch outfit could reap rewards. At the other end, Tottenham are also capable of taking their chances in front of goal.

Ajax have been an absolute joy to watch in 2018/19 and it would be a real shame to see the Dutch side collapse at this late stage of the competition.

Those wins in Madrid and Turin will live long in the memory of football romantics in all four corners of the world.

The Champions League is the pinnacle of European football and Ajax have certainly been up there in terms of quality this campaign.

Their pedigree is of course legendary and the ‘total football’ philosophy remains central to their style of play.

Meanwhile, Spurs are dogged and determined but they lacked leadership in the first leg and that is a concern for Tottenham supporters.

The heart says Tottenham but the head says Ajax. Pochettino’s men cannot afford to start slowly or this tie will be done and dusted before half-time.

Given their form at the Johan Cruyff Arena this campaign, siding with the hosts to win at 23/20 makes sense.

TIP: Ajax to win (23/20 with 888sport)

LONGSHOT: Ajax to win and both teams to score (3/1 with 888sport)

PREDICTED SCORE: Ajax 2-1 Tottenham (15/2 with 888sport)

*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*

Manchester City host Leicester on Monday Night Football. Pep Guardiola’s side are just two victories away from retaining their Premier League crown, though they will be down in second by the time this match kicks off if Liverpool beat Newcastle on Saturday night.

City have won 12 consecutive Premier League matches. Their 2/15 price to win in 888sport’s Premier League odds is understandable, but we are not going to see many people pick that as the value bet here.

Form and winning 17 of 18 home Premier League matches contributes to City’s price. Leicester, however, are no pushover as Arsenal were reminded of last weekend.

The Foxes are playing some great football under Brendan Rodgers, led by Jamie Vardy and his supporting cast of talented offensive-minded midfielders. There’s a threat posed by Leicester, and they could well give City a scare here.

The 21/4 price on Leicester to score over 1.5 goals will get some interest. It might seem ambitious considering City’s defensive record, but Rodgers’ side will be adventurous and look to challenge City.

Vardy’s pace is a constant concern for a defence that plays as high as City, and in James Maddison and Youri Tielemans, they have players in the middle third who can pick him out.

Maddison has created more chances than anyone else in the Premier League this season. His 13/2 price to register an assist looks a good bet.

From Leicester’s midfield to City’s midfield; Guardiola is dealing with a minor injury crisis with Kevin De Bruyne and Fernandinho both set to miss out. Injury crisis is overselling it really, though, as City’s ludicrous squad depth leaves them with an array of options.

Bernardo Silva will likely drop into the midfield trio, opening up space for Leroy Sane or Riyad Mahrez to join Raheem Sterling and Sergio Aguero up front.

Bernardo has been sensational this season, his versatility giving Guardiola vital flexibility. The 9/1 price on the Portuguese international to score and assist is worth consideration.

In the same market, Sterling’s 9/2 price will get plenty of backing. The former Liverpool winger missed out on PFA Player of the Year to Virgil van Dijk, and he’s not in his best form, but he could find a lot of space when Leicester commit men forward.

Rodgers’ teams are always susceptible to runners in behind, which could see Sterling with clear cut chances or the opportunity for City’s trademark cutbacks.

Goals are where the value lies. Both teams to score at 49/50 is a no brainer. Over 4.5 total goals at 39/20 is a hard one to judge, with over 3.5 at Evens probably the more sensible bet.

Leicester will look to take the game to City and could make this a nervy evening for Guardiola’s men if they can score first.  

Leicester to avoid defeat at 5/1 will undoubtedly get some backing (especially on Merseyside). Betting against City on this run might not seem like the most sensible idea, but there is definitely upset potential here.

With Rodgers’ natural instincts to attack, however, comes the risk of a thrashing. Early City goal(s) could lead to a heavy home victory, making the handicap -2 at Evens look a very good price.

It’s stating the obvious to mention the significance of the first goal, but it really is huge in this match. Leicester could wreak havoc on the break if they take the lead. The possibility of a slip up as good as vanishes if City open the scoring.

This will be a tense evening at the Etihad Stadium, at least until the first goal goes in. While a home victory is by far the most likely outcome, there may well be a scare or two along the way.

TIP: Both teams to score @ 49/50

PREDICTED SCORE: Manchester City 4-2 Leicester City (28/1 with 888sport)

*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*