Millwall v Barnsley predictions and betting tips for the League One play-off final this weekend with three best bets including in our betting preview.
Promotion to the Championship is at stake for one of these clubs. Will it be first time of asking for Millwall? Or will Barnsley complete a remarkable second half to their season? We’ve got the best bets for the match.
Millwall vs Barnsley Overview
Millwall
It was fairly straightforward in the end for the Lions to book their place at Wembley this Sunday. After taking a 3-1 lead to the Valley, they secured a 1-1 draw at home to confine Bradford to another season in League One.
The players have arrived at the national stadium already to familiarise themselves with the surroundings as they look to find a way to halt the Barnsley juggernaut.
They arrive here unbeaten in six, winning five and will look to cap off a fine season under Neil Harris. The boss has said that ‘consistency’ and ‘routine’ are key to his side’s preparations ahead of this fixture.
The squad boasts a mix of youth and experience with a number of players having already experienced finals here and their knowledge and calm heads will be vitally important.
This season has seen the emergence of Aidan O’Brien, Ben Thompson and Mahlon Romeo to name a few and it’s been a breakout campaign for former Halifax man Lee Gregory. The striker netted the opener against Bradford in the 2nd leg bringing his total to 27 in all competitions this season.
Paired with Steve Morison, it’s a pleasing blend of youth and experience and appears to be very effective for the club, helping them onto a club total of 73 goals for the season.
It’s Harris’ first full season in charge and he explained how advice from previous boss Kenny Jackett, Steve Coppell and Sean Dyche has steered him through the last ten months.
He’s urged fans to bring a wall of noise to the stadium, but no trouble. They don’t have as far to travel as their counterparts and are sure to arrive in numbers.
They’ve only conceded six goals since the 19th of March, but they’ll be wary of a Barnsley side who have done the double over them this season with a 3-2 victory at the Den, followed by a 2-1 win at Oakwell in January.
Barnsley
What a remarkable season it’s been for Barnsley. Bottom on the 12th of December, it looked like a struggle to stay afloat and few would have had the play-offs in their sights.
Lee Johnson’s turnaround followed by Paul Heckingbottom’s consistency have got the Tykes fans dreaming of a return to the Championship.
They were always going to be a dangerous opponent in the play-offs, as Walsall found out. An aggregate 6-1 win is mightily impressive across two games that are often filled with nerves and tension.
Scoring hasn’t been a problem of late and they’ve hit 12 goals in their last four matches.
It will their second appearance at Wembley in a matter of months after triumphing over Oxford in the JPT final just a few months ago. The players are confident and they will be immediately comfortable with their surroundings.
Paul Heckingbottom has issued a rallying cry to his players saying that this season cannot be truly memorable if they fail to finish it off with promotion. Heckingbottom steadied the ship spectacularly when Johnson departed for the South West and although a seemingly laid back character, he clearly has maximum respect from his players and gives them the freedom to express themselves.
His future is yet to be resolved, but surely the hierarchy will stick with him regardless of the outcome on Sunday.
Sam Winnall is just one of a number of players who have had a season to remember, but plaudits must also go to Marc Roberts, who faces another former Halifax man in the shape of Lee Gregory and the resurgent Adam Hammill, who provides plenty of ammunition.
Ashley Fletcher is another danger man for the Yorkshire side. The Man United loanee is a constant source of energy, power and is a decent foil for free-scoring Winnall. Connor Hourihane and Josh Brownhill have helped drive the side forward from midfield.
There were noticeably few celebrations from the Barnsley players upon reaching Wembley, they know the job is only half done and they need to focus on a crucial 90 minutes if they are to complete the assignment.
Millwall Team News
- Byron Webster looks like he’ll miss the showdown. The Central defender limped off with a hamstring injury against Bradford and is unlikely to make a full recovery. Tony Craig or young Sid Nelson could deputise.
- Harris is unlikely to make any other changes to the side which beat Bradford over two legs
Barnsley Team News
- Barnsley have James Bree back in contention for the final. The full back has been out for over a month, but is ready for action once more.
- George Smith and Marley Watkins are also back in contention after missing the last few weeks of the season.
- Heckingbottom is likely to name the same 11 which finished the job against Walsall
Millwall vs Barnsley Predictions
Both these sides had terrific ends to their respective season and they deserve to be in the final. I think there is a momentum about Barnsley which will give them the edge here. It will be a terrific contest, but Barnsley will also have the psychological edge with Wembley experience this season and having done the double over Millwall. My first Millwall v Barnsley betting tip is for Barnsley to win. They can be backed at 17/10 with Bet Victor.
The Tykes have been involved in some high scoring games towards the culmination of the season. A 1-4 win against Wigan followed a 2-2 draw with Colchester and there were seven goals across two Semi-Finals. Millwall saw five of their final six games feature three or more goals. My second Millwall v Barnsley prediction is for Over 2.5 goals. It can be backed at 5/4 with Ladbrokes.
Take your pick with the goalscorers, there are plenty capable of getting on the scoresheet in this League One play-off final. Sam Winnall is a man in fine goalscoring form though and is always a good bet across the 90 minutes. My third Millwall v Barnsley betting tip is for Sam Winnall to score anytime. He is 8/5 with Ladbrokes.
Millwall v Barnsley Betting Tips
Barnsley win – 17/10 Bet Victor.
Over 2.5 Goals – 5/4 Ladbrokes.
Sam Winnall anytime goalscorer – 8/5 Ladbrokes.
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Jack Critchley
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