Play-Off Matches 12/13 May
12/5/2008
Author: J Beith
Two important play–off matches take place over the next two days. Leeds United take on Carlisle at Elland Road in the first leg of the League One play–Off match tonight, while Bristol City play hosts Crystal Palace in their Championship second-leg match tomorrow.
Leeds United v Carlisle - Monday 12 May
It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster ride over the last season or so if you’ve been a Leeds United fan. Relegation, 15 point deductions, unsuccessful appeals, reaching the play offs. What can happen next? Well the real possibility is a trip to Wembley for a play-off final!
The two teams go into tonight’s match in contrasting form. Carlisle were in an automatic promotion place up until two weeks ago, but a slump in form saw them fall to fourth and they can’t be relishing at trip to Elland Road given their current form. Carlisle have only won once in their last eight matches, haven’t won in five and have only picked up two points out of a possible fifteen.
When you compare this to Leeds who have only lost once in ten matches and have kept six clean sheets in their last nine games it’s no surprise that the bookmakers make them favourites for tonight’s game. On current form the 5/1 (VCbet) being offered for a Carlisle away win looks to be a true reflection of their chance of winning tonight and can’t be taken with any real confidence..
Leeds at 8/11(Ladbrokes) doesn’t offer huge value, but it does look as if it’s the bet to be on. Given the current form of the two sides the draw 13/5 (Partybets) looks unlikely as all the stats seem to point to a Leeds win. The sides have met twice this season already with the home team winning on both occasions. Carlisle won 3-1 earlier in the season while Leeds came out on top a few weeks ago winning 3-2 at Elland Road.
It could pay to take Leeds to score three goals tonight and 16/5 (Paddy Power) for Leeds to score three or more goals may be worth a small stake. Everything seems to point to a Leeds win tonight and we think they will win 3-1 33/2 (Betfair).
Leeds on loan striker Dougie Freedman has scored some important goals recently for the club recently and is worth a bet at 11/2 (bet365) to score the first goal, and at 13/8 (Coral) to score anytime.
Bristol City v Crystal Palace- Tuesday 13 May
Many people (including us) thought Palace were the team to be on to win the Championship play-offs. But they have left themselves with a tough task after losing 2-1 at home to Bristol City in the first-leg.
Palace didn’t play as well as they can in the first game and looked to be heading for a draw they just about deserved after converting an 86th minute penalty, before a David Noble wonder strike in injury time secured a win for Bristol City..
There wasn’t a huge amount to choose between the two sides in the first game. Bristol City started the game better and it took a nervy Palace a while to settle down and get into their stride. Bristol City have a slight edge going into the game, but this tie is far from over. It took a last minute goal for Bristol City to take a point in their home League fixture against Palace and we think Place could just sneak a win here and take the game beyond 90 minutes.
Bristol City are 6/4 (Skybet) to get a home win, while the draw is 9/4 (Coral). Palace at 8/5 (Bodog) is our selection with a 1-0 correct score for palace 7/1 (Ladbrokes) also worth a bet.