Our Play-Off Predictions.
6/5/2008
Author: J Beith
The final league fixtures are now complete for teams outside the Premiership and automatic promotion places filled. But teams who have just missed out on automatic promotion places now get another chance to reach a higher division through the play-offs. Four teams from each of three divisions, the Championship, League One and League Two will face each other in a Semi- Final over two legs, with the two winning teams then meeting in the final to decide who will get promotion.
Not everyone agrees with this format as many believe that the team who has finished with the most points over a season should automatically go up. But even if you don’t agree with the play-offs one thing that can’t be denied is the fact they have provided thrilling games over the years especially in the Championship. This year looks set to be the same and we’re going to try and unravel the permutations and possibilities to see if we can come provide you with some decent bets.
The Championship
Hull, Bristol City, Watford and Crystal Palace are the four teams who will scrap it out for a place in the Premiership. In the Championship play-off Semi-Finals Crystal Palace play Bristol City, while Hull who finished third take on Watford who finished sixth
In the past it has paid to follow teams who have finished the season on a high or who are on a decent run of form. Hull finished four points outside the automatic promotion places and were still in with an outside chance of clinching a top two finish going into the last day. It’s how they respond to the disappointment of being so close that may determine how they fare in the play-offs. They take on a Watford side who have lost their form recently and have looked far from convincing and Hull look set to go through to the final.
The in form team has got to be Crystal Palace and at 2/1 (Skybet) to gain promotion they are the team to be on. Manager Neil Warnock has experience of the play-offs and he can guide his young team to victory over Bristol City and we think he’ll take them all the way to the Premier League. Hull are a best priced 11/4 (Skybet) to reach the Premiership while Watford are 7/2 and Bristol City 4/1 both with Bet 365. We predict Crystal Palace to go up.
League One
At 7/4 (Totesport) Leeds United head the market in League One, with Doncaster quoted at 3/1 (Betfred), Southend 7/2 (Bet365) and Carlisle 4/1(Ladbrokes). Despite being deducted 15 points at the start of the season Leeds put up a great performance to finish sixth in the League and they look as if they will justify favouritism and take the final promotion place. Carlisle have faded badly recently and don’t appear to have the momentum that will see them through to the final and we expect the final to be an all Yorkshire affair with Doncaster meeting Leeds in the Final.
League Two
Wycombe go into the play-offs as outsiders at 10/3 (Paddy Power) to reach League one, but Paul Lambert’s side have only lost once in their last six matches and if they can get past bookies favourites Stockport County 12/5 (Bluesq) in their Semi- Final they should go on to get promotion to League One. Wycombe have gained draws against promoted Peterborough and Champions MK Dons recently and if they can reproduce that kind of form they look more than capable of beating Stockport.
Rochdale 11/4 (Bet365) and Darlington 3/1(Betfred), are the other two teams involved in the play-offs. Darlington finished the season off with a win at already promoted Peterborough to get their first win in six matches. This was only Darlington’s second victory in ten games and there has to be concerns over their recent form going into the play-offs. Rochdale are unbeaten in eight games but have won only two of their last five. Rochdale look as if they may beat Darlington, but it’s Wycombe we think will be playing League One football next season.
