Championship:
Luton VS Sunderland (1-2 on aggregate)
Luton welcome Sunderland to Kenilworth Road in a big Playoff Semi-Final match. Luton have now been in the Championship for four consecutive seasons and they are looking to make it to their first Playoff Final since the 2011/12 Conference League Playoff Final (they lost 2-1 against York City). Sunderland, on the other hand, are in their first season back in the second tier of English Football and they are looking to make it to back-to-back Playoff Finals (they beat Wycombe 2-0 last year). For Luton Town, can they turn it around in the second leg? The Hatters are unbeaten in their last 7 home games (5W,2D) and they had the joint-second-best defense in the league this season. As for Sunderland, a clean sheet would be enough to see them return to Wembley Stadium. The Black Cats are unbeaten in their last 10 games (5W,5D) and they finished with the 4th best away record in the league this season.
My Prediction: 1-1 (Sunderland win 3-2 on aggregate)
Middlesbrough VS Coventry (0-0 on aggregate)
It’s all to play for in the second leg as Middlesbrough welcome Coventry City to the Riverside Stadium. Middlesbrough have been stuck in the Championship for 6 years now and they are looking to make it to their first Playoff Final since the 2014/15 Championship Playoff Final (they lost 2-0 to Norwich). Coventry, on the other hand, are in their third straight season in the second tier of English Football and they are looking to make it to their first Playoff Final since the 2017/18 League 2 Playoff Final (they beat Exeter City 3-1). For Middlesbrough, this is their best chance for a while to make it back to Wembley. The Boro are winless in four (2W,2D), but they did end the season with the third-best home record in the Championship. As for Coventry City, this would be a memorable night for them if they were able to pick up a victory. The Sky Blues are unbeaten in 8 games (3W,5D) and they had the 7th-best away record in the league this season.
My Prediction: 2-1 (Middlesbrough win 2-1 on aggregate)
League 1:
Sheffield Wednesday VS Peterborough (0-4 on aggregate)
Sheffield Wednesday have it all to do after a shocking first leg. Sheffield Wednesday are in their second season back in League 1 and they are looking to make it to their first Playoff Final since the 2016 Championship Playoff Final (they lost 1-0 against Hull City). Peterborough, on the other hand, are in their first season back in the third tier of English Football and they are looking to make it to their first Playoff Final since the 2011 League 1 Playoff Final (they beat Huddersfield Town 3-0). For Sheffield Wednesday, they are going to need a miracle to make it to Wembley. The Owls finished with the third-best home record in League 1 this season and they need to use the fact that they were the third-highest scorers in the league this season to good use. As for Peterborough United, it’s all about finishing the job for them now. The Posh have kept 3 clean sheets in a row (2W,1D) and they had the 5th best away record in the league this season.
My Prediction: 2-1 (Peterborough win 5-2 on aggregate)
Barnsley VS Bolton (1-1 on aggregate)
Barnsley host Bolton in an exciting second leg tie. Barnsley are in their first season back in League 1 and they are looking to make it to their first Playoff Final since the 2016 League One Playoff Final (they beat Millwall 3-1). Bolton, on the other hand, are in their second year back in the third tier of English Football and they are looking to make it to their first Playoff Final since the 2001 Division 1 Playoff Final (they beat Preston North End 3-0). For Barnsley, they’ve put themselves in a strong position to make it to Wembley. The Tykes haven’t won any of their last 4 games (2D,2L), but they did end the season with the 4th best home record in the league. As for Bolton Wanderers, they can definitely pull off a victory in this one. The Wanderers are unbeaten in their last 6 away games (3W,3D) and they ended the season with the 6th best away record in League 1.
My Prediction: 1-1 (Bolton win on Penalties)
League 2:
Stockport County VS Salford (0-1 on aggregate)
Stockport County return home knowing that they need to overturn their 1-goal deficit from the first leg against a high-scoring Salford side. Stockport County are in their first season back in League 2 and they are looking to make it to their first Playoff Final since the 2007/08 League 2 Playoff Final (they beat Rochdale 3-2). Salford, on the other hand, are in their 4th successive season in the fourth tier of English Football and they are looking to make it to their first Playoff Final since the 2018-19 National League Playoff Final (they beat AFC Fylde 3-0). For Stockport County, they are looking to keep their dream alive of back-to-back promotions. The Hatters are unbeaten in their last 12 home games (6W,6D) and they had the third-best home record in League 2 this season. As for Salford City, they’ll be gutted if they miss out on a trip to Wembley now. The Ammies are unbeaten in their last 5 away games (4W,1D) and only Northampton Town scored more points away from home than them in the league this season.
My Prediction: 2-2 (Salford win 3-2 on aggregate)
Carlisle VS Bradford (0-1 on aggregate)
Carlisle host Bradford in the biggest game of both teams’ seasons. Carlisle United have been stuck in League 2 for 9 seasons now and they are looking to make it to their first Playoff Final since the 2004/05 Conference Premier Playoff Final (they beat Stevenage Borough 1-0). Bradford City, on the other hand, are in their 4th successive season in the fourth tier of English Football and they are looking to make it to their first Playoff Final since the 2016/17 League 1 Playoff Final (they lost 1-0 against Milwall). For Carlisle United, they have to win this game. The Blues haven’t won any of their last 3 games (1D,2L), but they did end the season with the 5th best home record in the league. As for Bradford City, they’ll want to hold onto what they’ve got. The Bantams finished the season with the 5th best away record in League 2 and they will be hoping to make it 20 clean sheets in League 2 this season.
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