SWINDON Town are currently fourth favourites to win promotion to League One via the play-offs, according to bookmakers.

Ben Garner’s men can be found at 3-1 with oddschecker.com while semi-final opponents Port Vale are the favourites for promotion at 5-2.

Both Northampton Town and Mansfield Town are 11-4 in an extremely even playing field before a ball has been kicked.

The Cobblers and the Stags play their first leg on Saturday at 3pm before Town and Vale go to battle at midday on Sunday.

In the ‘Not The Top 20’ podcast play-off preview show, host George Elek explained how closely he sees Town’s clash with the Valiants.

He said: “I’m finding it very difficult (to choose a winner) here because I think Swindon – on their day and at their best – are the best team out of the four. But at their worst, they can drop off pretty heavily.

“I think, looking in the dugouts, Darrell Clarke over Ben Garner - not that I think he’s necessarily better as a manager or a tactician, but in the play-off rigmarole, the experience that Clarke has got might be of benefit to them.

“Possibly, if this was Swindon v Northampton, I’d fancy Swindon more because their attacking players might be able to get at Cobblers a bit better. I think Port Vale are very street-wise in terms of the way they defend.

“If I had to say one, I’d probably lean towards Port Vale. But that is very, very slight. I think this tie is basically a bit of a coin toss.”

Elek’s fellow host Ali Maxwell laid out his prediction for the League Two play-offs, and it did not make great listening for Swindon fans initially.

He said: “I’m going for a Cobblers v Port Vale final and a Port Vale promotion – that’s my prediction.

“But if I’m wrong and Swindon win their semi-final, I will still be happy because that will mean it’s been a really entertaining semi-final.

“I don’t see a way where Swindon win and it’s an underwhelming two legs. I think that will mean it’s been a bit of ding-dong, a bit of a shoot-out.

“And that means we’ll have been treated to all of their talented players clicking and scoring some lovely goals. It’s kind of a win-win on that front.”