A win in any of the last three games would have secured a play-off berth for Widnes, but as it is, it will go down to the wire and the final regular season game away at Barrow Raiders.

The biggest chance to secure play-offs was the home game against York three weeks ago, which would have virtually ended York’s hopes too.

As it is, York now look like one of the strongest teams going in to the end of season, even if it looks unlikely that anyone will get close to run away favourites with all the online betting sites Wakefield Trinity.

Here is how it stands going in to the final round:

  • 1st Wakefield 48 (+682)
  • 2nd Toulouse 35 (+350)
  • 3rd Bradford 32 (+245)
  • 4th York 28 (+172)
  • 5th Featherstone 28 (+132)
  • 6th Sheffield 28 (+120)
  • 7th Widnes 27 (+74)

Despite claims to the contrary, Widnes’ play-off fate is still in their own hands.

A win over Barrow and they are almost certainly in, due to the fact that York and Featherstone play each other and both cannot win. However, in the unlikely event of a draw in that game, Widnes would need to beat Barrow by 58 points to ensure they leapfrog Featherstone in to the top six.

Sheffield are almost certain to beat already relegated Dewsbury, who have won just one game all season. The Eagles’ surprise victory over Featherstone recently was enough to see them over the line.

Defeat for Widnes and the season is over.

PRE-SEASON: Turning the DCBL Stadium in to a fortress as coach talks play-offs

What else could unfold?

Barrow are currently in 11th place, one place above the dreaded ‘relegation play-off’ place. Whoever finishes 12th will have to take on the League One play-off winners to determine who will be the 13th club in the Championship next season.

Swinton are currently a point below Barrow, but they travel to Bradford on the final day with the game being a dead rubber for the Bulls, who will finish third in the table regardless of the result.

Eamon O’Carroll’s side might well save themselves for the following week’s play-off match.

Barrow will almost certainly be anticipating a Swinton win, meaning they would need a result against Widnes to stay up. A draw wouldn’t be enough either, as the Lions have a superior points difference to Barrow.

The top three places in the league – Wakefield, Toulouse and Bradford – are all fixed. As are the bottom two, Whitehaven and Dewsbury, who will both be relegated to League One.

York are in pole position to finish fourth owing to their superior points difference. If they were to lose and Featherstone beat them, then it would be a points difference battle between Featherstone and Sheffield to determine four (Sheffield are currently 12 points inferior to Featherstone, albeit with an easier final day opponent).

Barring a Dewsbury shock against Sheffield, Widnes can only finish sixth, which would set up an away trip to Bradford next week – where Widnes have already won twice this season.

Elsewhere, Doncaster, who are away at Wakefield on the final day, will finish eighth while Batley and Halifax will fight out for ninth.

Batley travel to Toulouse on Saturday, with the other six games all taking place on Sunday at 3pm.

Fixtures:

  • Toulouse v Batley (Sat, 7pm)
  • Barrow v Widnes
  • Bradford v Swinton
  • Dewsbury v Sheffield
  • Wakefield v Doncaster
  • Whitehaven v Halifax
  • York v Featherstone