Championship:
Sunderland VS Luton
Sunderland welcome Luton to the Stadium of Light for a huge Playoff Semi-Final tie. Sunderland won 3-0 away to Preston on the last day of the season and they ended up finishing 6th in the table with 69 points. Luton drew 0-0 at home to Hull in their last league game of the season which saw them finish third with 80 points to their name. In their previous 4 meetings, every game has ended in a 1-1 draw which I find to be really intriguing. For Sunderland, they need to take a lead with them to the Second Leg. The Black Cats haven’t lost any of their last 9 games (4W,5L) and will look to top scorer Adam Diallo to help them advance. As for Luton Town, they’ll fancy themselves to win at the Stadium of Light. The Hatters are on a 14-game unbeaten run (8W,6D) and only Burnley scored more points than them away from home in the league this season.
My Prediction: 1-1
Coventry VS Middlesbrough
Coventry host Middlesbrough in the second Championship Playoff Semi-Final. Coventry drew 1-1 at Middlesbrough on the last day of the season and they ended up finishing 5th in the table with 70 points. Middlesbrough obviously drew with Coventry in their last league game of the season which saw them finish 4th with 75 points. In their previous 10 meetings, both sides have managed 4 wins. For Coventry City, it’s important that they win this game. The Sky Blues are unbeaten in their last 7 games (3W,4D) and they had the 6th best home record in the league this season. As for Middlesbrough, they’ll be looking to turn their form around in this one. The Boro haven’t won any of their last 3 games (1D,2L) and they had the 9th-best away record in the league this season.
My Prediction: 2-0
League 1:
Peterborough VS Sheffield Wednesday
Peterborough host Sheffield Wednesday in a big game for both sides. Peterborough won 2-0 away to Barnsley on the last day of the season and they ended up finishing 6th in the table with 77 points. Sheffield Wednesday beat Derby 1-0 in their last league game of the season which saw them finish third with 96 points. In their previous 6 meetings, Peterborough have won 4 times whilst Sheffield Wednesday have won twice. For Peterborough United, it’s critical for them that they take a lead into the second leg. The Posh finished with the 7th best home record in the league and they will be calling on Jonson Clarke-Harris to add to his 26 goals (from this season). As for Sheffield Wednesday, they’ll want to win both legs. The Owls are on a 4-game winning streak and only Ipswich picked up more points away from home than them in the league this season.
My Prediction: 1-1
Bolton VS Barnsley
Bolton host Barnsley in an intriguing tie. Bolton won 3-2 away to Bristol Rovers on the last day of the season and they ended up finishing 5th in the table with 81 points. Barnsley lost 2-0 at home to Peterborough in their last league game of the season which saw them finish 4th with 86 points. In their previous 10 meetings, Bolton have won 5 times whilst Barnsley have only won once. The two teams have already played each other 3 times this season. For Bolton Wanderers, they are arguably the favourites for this tie. The Wanderers had the 5th best home record in the league this season and they will need their key men to perform if they are to make it to Wembley. As for Barnsley, they are definitely under a bit of pressure in this one. The Tykes haven’t won any of their last 3 games (1D,2L), but they did have the 4th best away record in League 1 this season.
My Prediction: 2-0
League 2:
Salford VS Stockport County
Salford host Stockport County in a really exciting League 2 Playoff Semi-Final tie. Salford lost 1-0 at home to Gillingham on the last day of the season and they ended up finishing 7th with 75 points. Stockport County drew 1-1 at home to Hartlepool in their last league game of the season which saw them finish 4th with 79 points. In their previous 6 meetings, Salford have won once whilst Stockport have won twice. 4 of those 6 meetings came in the National League North. For Salford City, they can definitely win this game. The Ammies only finished the season with the 14th-best home record in the league, but nobody scored more goals than them in the league this season (Mansfield also scored 72). As for Stockport County, they’re looking to keep this Fairytale run going. The Hatters are unbeaten in their last 13 games (6W,7D) and only Champions Leyton Orient conceded less than them in the league this season.
My Prediction: 1-1
Bradford VS Carlisle
Bradford host Carlisle in the final first Leg 1 tie in this year’s EFL Playoffs. Bradford drew 1-1 with Leyton Orient on the last day of the season and they ended up finishing 6th with 76 points. Carlisle drew 1-1 away to Sutton United in their last league game of the season which saw them finish 5th, also with 76 points. In their previous 11 meetings, Bradford have won 3 times whilst Carlisle have won 6 times. For Bradford City, they’re going to be under a lot of pressure from now till the Playoff Final (if they get there). The Bantams are unbeaten in their last 7 home games (3W,4D) and they’ll be cooling on Andy Cook to add to his 28-goal tally for the season. As for Carlisle United, they’re looking to continue their amazing season. The Blues had the 7th best away record in the league this season and they scored the third most amount of goals in League 2 this season (66).
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