As the Spring bank holiday rolls around once again, it can only mean one thing. The EFL’s flagship event, the Play-off Finals make their Wembley return.
Our betting experts looks at the best bets for these fixtures.
League Two – Newport County v Tranmere Rovers
On Saturday, Newport County, looking for their first promotion to the third tier of English football since 1987, take on Tranmere Rovers. Tranmere are seeking back-to-back promotions, after beating Boreham Wood in last-year’s National League Play-Off Final.
The Welsh side ended the season in good form, winning four out of their last seven games during the run-in. The two previous meetings between the teams this season produced just one goal, with Newport available at 13/2 to repeat their 1-0 win from back in September.
In contrast, before stumbling somewhat through their semi-final with Forest Green Rovers, Tranmere had won just one of their previous seven league outings. They are 8/11 to return to the third tier for the first time since 2014, with midfield man David Perkins 11/2 to score anytime at grosvenorsport.com
League One – Charlton Athletic v Sunderland
Lee Bowyer’s Charlton Athletic will lock horns with many people’s favourite for promotion at the beginning of the season, Sunderland.
Jack Ross’ men finished their season in disappointing style, after losing to Portsmouth in the Football League Trophy Final as well as missing out on automatic promotion behind Luton Town and Barnsley. The Black Cats will be trying to shake off any play-off voodoo after finishing fifth, statistically the position least likely to ensure promotion via the play-offs. Main man Charlie Wyke is 2/1 to score anytime.
Charlton, on the other hand, were one of the form teams in the division during the run-in, winning 10 of their last 12 games. Lyle Taylor has impressed for the Addicks, helping himself to 22 league goals this term. He’s well placed at 4/1 to open the scoring.
The two-sides met on the first day of the season, where Sunderland came out on top at the Stadium of Light. There’s little to split them this time around though and grosvenorsport.com has them both 13/8.
This could be a very open affair, with both teams to score in the first half available at 7/2.
Championship – Aston Villa v Derby County
It has become somewhat of a May bank-holiday tradition to see two hopefuls do battle in the ‘richest game in football’, with Derby County and Aston Villa starring in this year’s edition.
Dean Smith’s Villa come into the game as one of the form teams in the country, picking up 10 wins out of 12 to clinch their play-off berth. They will also be boosted by having comfortably beaten Derby during their two previous meetings this season, with grosvenorsport.com offering them at 6/4 to score first and win.
Despite some stuttering form heading into the play-offs, the Jack Marriott-inspired Rams saw off Marcelo Bielsa’s highly fancied Leeds United in a dramatic semi-final comeback. Marriott to score the first goal is 6/1 at grosvenorsport.com and Derby to win after going a goal behind is 14/1.
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