Two to go for Thunder and the rest of League 1

Following the announcement of the merge of The Championship and League 1 next season leading to the decision to cancel the play-offs, there's two rounds of League 1 action to go this season.

Thunder look to back up the performance from last week

Newcastle Thunder travel to Goole Vikings looking to back up the performance from last weekend where Whitehaven knew they'd been in a game.

The squad named is very similar to last weekend, the challenge for this group is to back up and travel with the same mentality that they turned up with last week. We saw earlier in the season that Goole are a physical outfit and they'll be looking to show that in bundles at home. As I say most weeks and there has been an improvement as the season has gone on, Thunder need to live with the physicality at this level for as long as they can and frustrate the opposition.

Last week we saw when Alex Donaghy was controlling the game and we took it away from trying to run directly at bigger men we cause teams problems when the backs get going. This has to be the tactic, yes we do need to earn the right to do this but we are far more dangerous doing it.

This group have two chances to show Graham Steadman what they have and what they could bring to the squad next season.

Goole have had a really good debut season at this level and currently sit in seventh place, last time out they put in a brave performance at North Wales losing out 31-6. They'll be looking to use the last two games of their season both at home to drum up more support as the leagues merge next season and show what a difficult place Goole can be to go.

Can Keighley crash the North Wales party?

North Wales host Keighley on Sunday afternoon knowing a victory will secure the league title for the ambitious Welsh outfit. North Wales this week have been the only League 1 club to put formal interest in becoming the thirteenth or fourteenth Super League club. The question tomorrow is, can Keighley crash the party? The answer is, yes they can. The problem is Keighley have been so hot and cold. Last time out they had an excellent win at Midlands and they'll relish the opportunity to crash the Crusaders party. But I'm going to back North Wales to get the job done and be celebrating on Sunday night.

Hurricanes lock horns with the rams

With the play-offs being cancelled, we've been robbed of a massive game in league terms at Dewsbury as fifth place Dewsbury host sixth place Midlands. This should've been a match up of two play-off chasing sides going head to head with their seasons on the line. It'll still be a good hard fought contest which I think will see Dewsbury come out on top in a close battle.

Can Town claim second spot?

This is another one that would've had something on it, Rochdale would've travelled with their season on the line. They're sat in fourth but one point ahead of Dewsbury and Midlands who were hot on their heels. Workington have had a really good season and as I've said can cement second place with a victory here. Rochdale will be looking to keep themselves in fourth place with what would be a hard fought win on the road. This will be close, but I think Workington at home will have just enough to beat Rochdale.