EFL Play-Off Finals Betting Tips
Sheffield United were gutted to miss out on automatic promotion to the Premier League but they are the favourites to overcome Sunderland in the Championship play-off final which takes place on Saturday (15:01) at Wembley Stadium.
The Blades couldn’t match the consistency of Leeds and Burnley, who were promoted with 100 points each, but they responded positively in the play-off semi-finals by registering back-to-back 3-0 wins over Bristol City.
Sunderland came through a much tighter semi-final, sealing a 3-2 aggregate success over Coventry with Dan Ballard’s superb header in extra-time of the second leg at the Stadium of Light.
But the Wearsiders are 6/5 underdogs to get past the Blades, who are 13/20 to regain the Premier League status they lost in 2023/24.
Wembley also hosts the League One and League Two playoff finals which take place on Sunday and Monday.
Charlton take on London rivals Leyton Orient in the third tier final and are 3/5 to progress.
Underdogs Orient are 13/10 to seal second-tier football for the first time since 1982.
The League Two final pits AFC Wimbledon against Walsall with the Wombles 13/20 to win promotion and the midlanders 11/10 to get the job done.
Tip 1 – Sheffield United to win @ 7/5
Team news
Jesurun Rak-Sakyi came off the bench in the second leg against Bristol City and is pushing to play a more prominent role for the Blades, but Ollie Arblaster and Rhys Norrington-Davies are long-term absentees.
Aji Alese, Jenson Seelt and Ian Poveda are expected to miss the final for Sunderland but Romaine Mundle is likely to be involved after coming off the bench in the semi-final second leg against Coventry.
Sheffield United to win @ 7/5
Sheffield United finished 14 points higher than Sunderland in the Championship table and they can make their extra class count at Wembley.
Chris Wilder’s Blades contended for a top-two finish until losing 2-1 away to Burnley in their 44th game.
But they were back to their best in their play-off semi-final successes over Bristol City and look a superior side to Sunderland, who have struggled in recent months.
Sunderland squeezed past Coventry despite playing a very cautious style and losing the overall shot count 34 to 26.
They are unlikely to be as fortunate against United, who look a solid wager to win without need of extra-time or penalties.
Tip 2 – Leyton Orient to be promoted @ 13/10
Team news
Lloyd Jones and Thierry Small shook off minor injuries in time for the play-offs but Miles Leaburn has been absent for Charlton since March.
Jordan Brown returned to action for the semi-final second leg at Stockport but Dan Happe and Theo Archibald are long-term absentees for Leyton Orient.
Leyton Orient to be promoted @ 13/10
Leyton Orient sustained two losses to Charlton during the League One season - going down 1-0 at the Valley and 2-1 at Brisbane Road - but they can be victorious under the Wembley arch.
Richie Wellens’s side were outstanding in their semi-final triumph over Stockport, drawing 3-3 on aggregate and winning 4-1 on penalties, and are heading to the final on a nine-game unbeaten run.
Charlton came through an ugly semi-final against out-of-sorts Wycombe - winning 1-0 on aggregate - but they face a sterner test against Orient, who can win an entertaining encounter.
Tip 3 – AFC Wimbledon to win @ 31/20
Team news
Sam Hutchinson underwent heart surgery after the 1-0 win at Grimsby and will play no part for AFC Wimbledon at Wembley. Omar Bugiel is a major doubt.
Connor Barrett has completed a three-game suspension for Walsall but Ellis Harrison is a doubt and Priestley Farquharson and Jack Earing remain unavailable.
AFC Wimbledon to win @ 31/20
AFC Wimbledon have the best defensive record in League Two - conceding 35 goals - and their resilient rearguard can underpin a play-off final success over Walsall.
Johnnie Jackson’s side sealed a pair of 1-0 play-off semi-final wins over Notts County, who barely got a look in during the second leg at Plough Lane.
And their organisation and physicality can give them the edge over the Saddlers, who are facing a step up in grade after their 4-1 aggregate triumph over Chesterfield.
Odds correct at time of publication but subject to fluctuation