Championship Playoffs: Betting Preview
With the domestic football season beginning to draw to a close, two Championship sides have now booked their spot in next seasons Premier League – Marco Silva’s Fulham outfit riding a wave of goals to the Championship title, and Scott Parker’s Bournemouth side employing a more pragmatic approach to fill second spot.
There is of course one place still up for grabs, and this coming Friday sees the Play-Off battle commence. Huddersfield Town, Luton Town, Nottingham Forest and Sheffield United are the sides with a shot at the big-time, but which of that quartet will make it? Here we take a look at each of the semi-finals and pick out our best bet to be playing Premier League football next season.
Semi Final 1: Luton Town vs Huddersfield Town
- First Leg: Kenilworth Road – 7:45pm Friday 13th May
- Second Leg: John Smiths Stadium – 7:45pm Monday 16th May
Full credit to Luton for making it to the playoffs with a game to spare. They did however only stagger over the line in the end as, following an excellent start to the season, injuries really began to take a toll over the closing stages. Having won only three of their final eight fixtures, scoring more than once in only one of those games, and conceding two or more three times – including a 7-0 battering at Fulham – this may be where their run comes to an end.
Carlos Corberán’s men also don’t have anything like the injury concerns of a depleted Luton outfit
Huddersfield in contrast arrive full of confidence and in flying form, with the Terriers winning six of their last seven, scoring twice in six of seven and conceding more than once only once. Carlos Corberán’s men also don’t have anything like the injury concerns of a depleted Luton outfit who seem likely to be without top scorer Elijah Adebayo and midfield maestro Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu.
There was little to split the sides in the regular season meetings, with the game in Luton ending in a goalless draw and Huddersfield coming out on top 2-0 in the reverse. Overall, we wouldn’t be too surprised to see a similar set of results here, with a defensively solid Luton side keeping things tight in the first leg before coming unstuck at the John Smiths Stadium.
- Tip - Huddersfield to Qualify @ 1/2 with Betfred
Semi Final 2: Sheffield United vs Nottingham Forest
- First Leg: Bramall Lane – 3:00pm Saturday 14th May
- Second Leg: City Ground – 7:45pm Tuesday 17th May
Two sides who have experienced pretty similar seasons here, with both Sheffield United and Nottingham Forest enjoying spectacular turnarounds following a change in manager; Steve Cooper working miracles at Forest, with the club sitting rock bottom of the table when he took over in September; and Paul Heckingbottom inspiring a similar resurgence at the Blades.
No doubt, that of the two semi-finals this appears the tougher to predict. The head-to-head meetings from earlier in the season certainly doesn’t shed much light - both games ending in a 1-1 draw, with very little separating the sides on the stats in either encounter.
Forest were five points clear of Sheffield United in the standings, but the Blades ended the season in marginally better form, with three consecutive wins over Cardiff, QPR and Fulham. Not that Forest finished poorly, in losing narrowly at Bournemouth to end their automatic promotion hopes, and possibly suffering a bit of a hangover from that in a closing day 1-1 draw at Hull City.
Sheffield United enter the playoffs without a fit recognised striker
Where the “Tricky Trees” would appear to have the edge however is when it comes to the injury situation. In the absence of David McGoldrick, Oliver McBurnie, Billy Sharp and Rhian Brewster, Sheffield United enter the playoffs without a fit recognised striker. In a tight tie, that disadvantage may just tilt matters in favour of Steve Coopers side.
- Tip - Nottingham Forest to Qualify @ 4/7 with Betfred
Playoff Winners/Best Bets
- Final: Wembley Stadium – 4:30pm Sunday 29th May
A double on both Huddersfield and Nottingham Forest to qualify for the final pays just under 11/8 with Betfred. And that does look the most solid option, with Luton and Sheffield United having injuries conspire against them at just the wrong time.
In terms of the outright winner odds, Nottingham Forest are probably the rightful favourites, but slipping from third to fourth on the final day has landed them in much the tougher half of the draw. As such we fancy the value may lie with Huddersfield.
The Terriers have already posted a 1-0 success at the City Ground in the league this season and were the better side on the stats in a narrow FA Cup loss there in March – outshooting the hosts by 11 to 7 in a 2-1 defeat. Huddersfield also held the edge over Sheffield United in the regular season – picking up a point in a goalless draw at home and winning 2-1 at Bramall Lane. Should they progress past Luton, they would look to have a live chance whoever awaits on March 29th.
Top 20 Betting Offers
Full T&Cs apply. New UK customers only. The qualifying bet should be either a single or accumulator (2+ selections), min stake £10, and mins odds 1.9 or greater. 5 Free bets include: 1 x £10 Free bet on horse racing, 1 x £10 Free bet on football, 2 x 10 Free bet in-play, 1 x £10 Free bet Acca. Max payout – £500. 7 day expiry. 18+ only. BeGambleAware.org. |
|||||
New customers only. Register (excl. 13/04/24) with WELCOME50. First bet £10+ at Evens (2.0)+ on Sports within 7 days to get Free Bets: £20 In-Play, £20 Acca & 50 x £0.20 (£10) Free Spins on Fishin’ Frenzy within 10 hours of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility & payment exclusions apply. Full T&Cs apply. |
|||||
18+. Play Safe. From 00:01 on 18.10.2022. £40 bonus. New customers only. Minimum £10 stake on odds of 1/2 (1.5) or greater on sportsbook (excluding Virtual markets). Further terms apply. #ad |
|||||
Min Deposit: £5. Maximum Free Bet: £30. First bet with 3+ selections. Overall odds: 3.00+ (2/1). If first bet loses free bets will be credited after bet settled. 100 Free Spins on Gold Blitz credited on settlement of qualifying Acca bet. 18+. BeGambleAware.org. Bet The Responsible Way. Full terms apply |
|||||
£10 min deposit. First bet mins odds 1.5 placed within 14 days of sign-up. 2 x £10 in Free Bets: valid for 7 days, free bet stakes not returned. Bet Responsibly. BeGambleAware.org. 18+ T&Cs apply.
|
|||||
18+ New customers only. Opt in & bet via mobile up to £40 (min. £20) on any football market at odds of 2.00+, in 7 days. Get up to £40 in free bets on selected markets. Bonuses expire in 7 days. Card payments & Apple Pay only. T&Cs apply. begambleaware.org | Please gamble responsibly. |
|||||
New bettors; Code PLAY10; Wager deposit & bonus 8x; Max qualifying bet stake=initial bonus; Valid 60 days; Min odds, payment method exclusions apply;T&C apply; 18+ |
|||||
18+. New Customers Only. Max one £10 Free Bet. Qualifying bets at Odds of 1/1 or greater. Paid as Bonus Token Min 4/5 Odds Req. Skrill, Neteller, Paypal not eligible. T&Cs Apply |
|||||
Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply. Registration required |
|||||
18+ New UK+IRE Customers only. Min first £5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 to get 4x £5 free bets. Stake not returned. Restrictions + Free bet T&Cs apply. |
|||||
18+ New UK+IRE Customers only. Min first 5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 = 1 x 20 free bet. Stake not returned. Free bets expire in 7 days. Full T&Cs apply. |
|||||
*New members. £10 min bet on sportsbook (ex. virtual) 1.5 min odds, settled in 14 days of sign-up. Free Bets: accept in 7 days, valid 7 days on sportsbook (ex. virtual). Stake not returned. Full Terms apply. Bet Responsibly. BeGambleAware.org. 18+ |
|||||
18+ New customers only. Opt in, bet £10 at odds 2.00+ within 7 days, no cashout. Get 6x £5 Free Bets, set events at odds 2.00+. 7 day bonus expiry. Debit Card / Apple Pay payments only. Click for T&Cs. Please Gamble Responsibly. |
|||||
18+. BeGambleAware.org. New accounts only. Min. £10 deposit, debit card only. Up to 50x wagering, game contributions vary, max. stake applies, 7 day expiry. See full terms. #AD
|
|||||
Place a bet of £10 at min odds of 1.5 and get £10 upon settlement. Further £10 Multiple token will be credited after 24 hours and a further £5 Horse Racing Multiple token and a £5 Football Bet Builder token will be credited after 48 hours. Full T&Cs apply.18+. BeGambleAware.org. |
|||||
New Customers, deposit and place a qualifying bet with bet builder, min stake £5, min odds 3/1 (4.0). Receive a £10 free bet, valid for 7 days. Full Terms apply, 18+ begambleaware. |
|||||
T&Cs apply. 18+ New customers only. You must place 3 x £10 sportsbook bets to qualify. Money back as free bets up to £25. Must use code welcome25afs when creating an account. |
|||||
New Customers only. Deposit and bet on any Sportsbook Markets with min odds of 2.0. Get 50% Back of your first days' losses as a Free bet up to £50+£20 Casino Bonus. |
|||||
New customers only. Max. one £10 free bet. Qualifying bets must be placed at odds of 1/1 (2.00) or greater. Paid as bonus token with min. 4/5 (1.80) Odds req. T&CS APPLY. 18+ |
|||||
New customers, Deposit & Place a bet of £10 at odds of 4/5 (1.8) or greater, to be credited with 3x £10 free bets: 1 x £10 Horse racing, 1 x £10 Free Bet Builder and 1 x £10 Football. Free bets expire in 7 days. Stake not returned. T&C’s Apply. 18+ begambleaware. |