Championship play-off betting tips and predictions for who will win the end of season shootout for a place in the Premier League next season.
With the top two decided and winner’s medals dished out to all but Joey Barton, it’s time for the third and final team to make their way to the top tier. But will it be Brighton, Hull, Derby or Sheffield Wednesday?
Odds to win the play-offs:
- Hull – 9/4 Coral.
- Brighton – 5/2 Betfred.
- Derby – 11/4 Betfred.
- Sheffield Wednesday – 4/1 Paddy Power.
Brighton
The Seagulls were extremely unlucky not to be spending their Saturday afternoon on a podium clutching bottles of champagne. In any of the last 14 Championship seasons, their points tally of 88 would have been enough to guarantee promotion. Sadly, for the Brighton fans, they bumped into Middlesbrough and Burnley, who were equally as impressive throughout the campaign. Chris Hughton’s side need to pick themselves up and go again, which is never easy.
They lost out in a promotion decided with Middlesbrough after failing to beat the Teessiders. The draw was a credible result, but it came down to a goal difference of two. Middlesbrough’s resolute defending paid dividends and even though the South Coast club recently crushed West London duo Fulham and QPR, their goal weren’t enough to get them up.
Sheffield Wednesday won’t be relishing a trip to the AMEX in the second leg as they are unbeaten in 10 matches at home (14 overall), winning seven of them. Their expansive style and a partisan crowd have helped spur Brighton on this season and if they go into the second leg needing to overturn a small deficit, don’t bet against them.
Albion will appeal against Dale Stephen’s red card and he may be available for the play-offs, but Steve Sidwell could easily get a start with his experience of big games.
Hull
We’ve written plenty about Hull this season and thoroughly expected them to remain at the top of the table. It wasn’t to be as Steve Bruce’s men fell away alarmingly. It was the draws which killed them. They weren’t beaten often, but failing to kill off home times with the likes of MK Dons and Nottingham Forest lost them ground and losses to both Middlesbrough and Burnley within a couple of weeks of one another saw them slip out of contention for automatic promotion.
There’s so much experience in that side and if Michael Dawson can get himself fit in time for these fixtures, they will be hard to infiltrate. They arrive in decent nick having only lost one in their last seven games, a surprise 1-0 defeat at Bolton.
Until the last day of the season, they could have been accused of not scoring enough goals, but they hit five against Rotherham on Saturday.
The one worry about Hull is that they were defeated heavily by Derby as recently as the 5th of April. They don’t fare well away at the top clubs and they don’t want to leave themselves with too big a deficit to make up.
Steve Bruce is an experienced manager though and he knows what it takes. He needs to galvanise his troops and forget about any links with other managerial vacancies. Many of these players were part of the squad which was promoted to the Premier League and reached the FA Cup final and they are capable on their day. A little unpredictable perhaps, but they have a penchant for a knock out competition.
Derby County
It’s been a funny old season at the iPRO Stadium. Expected to make great strides and win the league at a canter along with Middlesbrough by bookmakers, Derby were as short as 6/1 for promotion in August. Paul Clement’s side started with a succession of draws and eventually clicked. A dismal run which saw no win in eight around late December/early January saw Clement relieved of his duties and Darren Wassall taking over.
For Derby backers, it’s been a frustrating season. Armed with the kind of firepower that most Championship clubs could only dream of, they haven’t been able to find a level of consistency. Although injuries have hampered their progress with Will Hughes and Jeff Hendrick both suffering. The latest blow saw George Thorne stretchered off as the influential midfielder may not be back in time for the two legs.
With Chris Martin, Tom Ince, Johnny Russell, Darren Bent, Andreas Weimann and Nick Blackman available for selection though, if they get it right, they could be dangerous. But, they haven’t won in three and limped to a 1-0 defeat to Ipswich on Saturday. There was no resting of players as Wassall wanted momentum ahead of the end of the season showdown, but his troops were undone by a David McGoldrick goal.
Derby have the ability to blow the other teams out of the water, but have too many inconsistencies and may just come undone over the two legs with Hull.
Sheffield Wednesday
Sheffield Wednesday guaranteed their spot in the play-offs with a couple of games to go as they beat Cardiff and staved off any possible interest in 6th spot from the Bluebirds.
Carlos Carvalhal’s side have been one of the best sides to watch in the division this season and their pretty football combined with the majesty of Fernando Forestieri has made them thoroughly deserving of 6th spot.
Wednesday are many people’s choice as they are a better price, but like Derby, I worry about their consistency. There is no doubt, they would make an excellent addition to the Premier League, but claiming just one win in their last five is a worry.
Losing just twice at home is impressive over the course of an entire season, but with the second leg at Brighton, I’d worry that might trip up.
They’ve only failed to score once in the last ten and they will entertain throughout. Barry Bannan and Gary Hooper will provide plenty of threat to Brighton’s defence and they’re the sort of side who can pull off the unexpected.
Both of the games involving these sides ended 0-0 this season, so don’t expect a goal fest when the sides meet on Friday night.
Championship Play-off Prediction
I don’t like to back sides who have narrowly missed out on automatic promotion as I think coming so close may hinder them. The thought of what could have been and those Brighton players giving their all at the Riverside may have taken it out of them. I think Sheffield Wednesday can squeeze past them at Hillsborough and can play for a draw the AMEX.
Elsewhere, Hull have the experience to progress to the final. Derby have been too inconsistent lately and I can’t back them. Steve Bruce is savvy and has more experience than his counterpart Darren Wassall. They are a team who love a knock-out competition and I think they can book their place at Wembley.
Hull may be the favourites and I think they can find their way into the Premier League. It’s harsh on Brighton, but they appeared to lose their silky style of football in the second half against Middlesbrough and I worry there will be a hangover from that loss.
Championship Play-Offs Betting Tip:
Hull to win the Championship play-offs – 9/4 with Coral.
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Jack Critchley
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