National League Playoff Preview: Who Wins Promotion to the Football League?
The National League delivered unbelievable drama on the final day of the season, with York City claiming top spot to reach the football league.
But as much as I'd love to dwell on that, and talk more about what happened at the Crown Oil Arena, it's time to turn attention straight to the playoffs.
The National League playoffs get underway on Tuesday night, a quick turnaround, and in this Free Bets playoff preview, I'll look at the first two games, plus try my best to work out who gets promoted alongside York.
If the past few weeks are anything to go by, you'll not want to take your eyes off the National League.
National League Playoff Preview
Six teams remain in the promotion hunt, and the National League playoffs will decide which one of them makes League Two.
There's five games in total, beginning with two eliminators this week, before playoff semi finals at the weekend.
When that's done, we'll have two teams left, and they'll meet at Wembley on Sunday, May 10th, for a place in the football league.
National League Playoff Odds
Here I have the latest odds from the best betting sites for the National League playoffs, so you can see what the bookmakers think.
| Team | National League Playoff Odds |
| Rochdale | 6/4 |
| Carlisle | 13/5 |
| Boreham Wood | 13/2 |
| Southend | 17/2 |
| Forest Green | 17/2 |
| Scunthorpe | 14/1 |
*Odds are best on the market and available as of 4:30pm on Monday, 27th April
National League Playoff Eliminators
First up this week, we've got two eliminator games taking place on Tuesday and Wednesday.
The winners of these two games will progress and face the 2nd (Rochdale and 3rd (Carlisle) teams from the league, with those games taking place on Sunday.
Scunthorpe vs Southend - Tuesday
It's fifth vs sixth in this game, and the pair were separated by just one point when the league ended on Saturday.
But that doesn't really tell the full story of their recent form. It's been a struggle for Scunthorpe, some will tell you they've taken their foot off with playoff qualification in the bag, others will say they're tired or feeling the pressure.
Whatever it is, one win from their last five games is not the best playoff preparation. But they've been there and done it all before, as recently as last season.
Scunthorpe won the National League North playoffs last season to get into this league, and are here looking for back to back playoff wins.
For Southend, it's all about avenging what happened last season. They got to the playoff final, only to lose to Oldham on penalties at Wembley.
Many from that squad remain, they'd love to put things right. They come here in better form too, losing just one of their last 10 and finishing the season strongly.
I think recent form, the heartache of last year, and the know how are all in Southend's favour, and they would be my pick to win this game.
Boreham Wood vs Forest Green - Wednesday
Boreham Wood have had a great season, they won the National League South playoffs last season, so have been there and done it before, just like Scunthorpe above.
They've finished fourth in the standings this year, a great achievement, and finished seven points ahead of Forest Green, but of course, that means nothing now.
Boreham Wood have lost just one of their last nine, so arrive in form, but the same can be said for Forest Green, who have lost just one of their last six, and thumped Morecambe 5-0 to prepare in style.
These two met in February at Boreham Wood, and drew 1-1.
I genuinely can't split these two, it's a coin toss that could go either way.
National League Playoff Semi Finals
Winners from the two midweek games will have a few days to prepare before facing the two top teams on Sunday, in the National League playoff semi finals, with the winner of these games moving onto Wembley.
Rochdale vs Scunthorpe/Southend - Sunday
Rochdale were seconds away from League Two on Saturday before conceding a late equaliser to York in one of the best and craziest ever moments in National League history.
But now, they have to focus on the playoffs, if that's possible.
They can't feel down, upset they lost out on promotion or anything else. It's the playoffs they need to win here, and need to get to Wembley, where they'll have their second chance to win promotion.
Whoever plays Rochdale will be hoping there's a hangover, and hope a mental scare remains from that last minute York goal.
We've seen it at many levels before, teams who just miss out on automatic promotion can sometimes feel the impact of that, and struggle in the playoffs.
Rochdale drew both games with Scunthorpe, while they won at home to Southend, and lost away.
Carlisle vs Boreham Wood/Forest Green - Sunday
Carlisle are in a much different position to Rochdale. For quite a while, they've known automatic promotion was not on the cards, they've known it was all about the playoffs.
If you take out the top two, Carlisle are next best, and have placed themselves in the best possible position, getting a by through the eliminators, as well as home advantage here.
Coming into the playoffs, they've not lost in eight, and won their last three of those, scoring seven goals in the process and not conceding.
Carlisle did the double over Forest Green during the season, but lost away and drew at home to Boreham Wood.
