EFL Play-Off Final Betting Tips: Who will triumph underneath the Wembley arch?

League One sees a clash between a Bolton side who missed out on automatic promotion on the final day of the season off against an Oxford United side who snuck in on the last day of the season.  Sixth and seventh place in League Two face-off, with Crawley dispatching favourites MK Dons 8-1 and Crewe securing a dramatic comeback against Doncaster. 

Bolton vs Oxford

Date: Saturday 18th May

Kick Off: 16:15

After missing out on automatic promotion to Derby on the final day of the season, Bolton had to settle for play-offs and a two-legged battle with sixth-placed Barnsley. After comfortably dispatching the Tykes 1-3 at Oakwell in the opening leg, Bolton scraped through 5-4 on aggregate after a dramatic clash at the Toughsheet Community Stadium. 

The 3-2 loss on the night was the Trotters’ first loss in eight games, with Ian Evatt’s side ending the season in fine fettle. Bolton were the second top scorers in the league, notching 86 times in their 46 games. They must overcome an Oxford team who were determined and gritty over two legs against free-scoring Peterborough, 

After Liam Manning departed Oxford for Bristol City while the U’s were in a promising position for promotion, boyhood Oxford United fan Des Buckingham swapped Mumbai for Oxfordshire to manage at the Kassam. 

Things didn’t start ideally for the 39-year-old, winning just three of his first fifteen league matches in charge. United’s automatic promotion hopes faded and it looked an uphill battle to even qualify for the playoffs. 

However, just one loss in their final eight league games saw the U’s secure playoffs on the final day, seeing off a brave late charge from Lincoln. 

The two meetings thus far this season don’t make for pretty reading for Oxford fans, with Bolton holding them to a 0-0 draw at the Kassam, before running out 5-0 winners at home. 

Bolton are a team littered in quality. Dion Charles' brace in the first leg made it back-to-back 20-goal seasons for the Northern Ireland international. He is partnered up front with Aaron Collins, purchased in January after 56 goal contributions in two and a half seasons for Bristol Rovers. The Welshmen has 11 goal contributions in 21 league games for Bolton and makes up a front line that is the envy of many a team in the league. 

George Thomason provides steel and tenacity in midfield and the perfect partnership with the dazzling star quality of the on-loan Paris Maghoma, with Josh Sheehan the distributor sitting behind them. The back three of Gethin Jones, Ricardo Santos and Eoin Toal are key in Evatt’s possession-based football. 

Oxford are also brimming with quality. The silky Cameron Brannagan anchors the midfield, allowing creative maestros Tyler Goodrham and Ruben Rodrigues to flourish further up the pitch. The on-loan Josh Murphy has been a revelation, scoring six goals and assisting four in 18 starts. 

Mark Harris seems to have found a home at Oxford after failing to make the grade at Cardiff. The 25-year-old has 15 goals in 42 starts.

With so much quality on display, it really is hard to split the teams. However, the two results this season tip the balance in Bolton’s favour. Combining ‘Bolton to win the trophy’ in a bet builder with a George Thomason yellow card gives odds of 4.20.

The tenacious Thomason has picked up 18 yellow cards and one red this season. It tends to be in bigger games that the 23-year-old gets booked, finding himself in the referees’ notebook in both playoff semi-finals, as well as against Peterborough x2, Derby, Middlesbrough, Portsmouth, Wigan, Barnsley and even Oxford.

Goodrham and Rodrigues operate as two roaming ‘10s’ in midfield, flourishing creatively when in the final third. A whopping 48 opposition centre midfielders have been booked in 48 league games against the U’s this season, highlighting the threat that their midfield possesses.

Prediction: Bolton to lift the trophy and George Thomason to be booked @ 4.20

Crawley vs Crewe

Date: Sunday 19th May

Kick Off: 13:00

Against all the odds, Crawley qualified for the play-offs. Tipped by many for relegation due to what was perceived as a poor transfer window and lacklustre ownership, the Red Devils secured a play-off spot on the final day. 

What unfolded in the semi-final was beyond their wildest dreams. Even after defeating playoff favourites 3-0 at the Broadfield Stadium, Crawley were still underrated by many. A 5-1 drubbing of the ‘Dons’ in the second leg really showcased Town’s star quality. 

Scott Lindsay’s side were excellent throughout, slicing through Mike Williamson’s side with ease. Crawley had more possession in both legs - only the second time MK have had less than 60% in their last seven games. 

They face a different test on Sunday, facing a more direct Crewe side. Lee Bell’s side are another team that have defied the odds. Predicted to linger in the bottom half, Alex kept pace with the top three all season, before just two wins in their final 12 games meant that they had to settle for a sixth-place finish. 

A lacklustre first-leg home performance that saw them lose 0-2 to an in-form Doncaster side looked to end Crewe’s season, but a miraculous comeback in the second leg saw the Railwaymen win on penalties. 

Scott Lindsay has built a strong side, rejuvenating and even kick-starting many players’ careers. Goalkeeper Corey Addai plays as a fourth centre-back, with the aerially dominant Laurence Maguire and Will Wright providing defensive stability. Jay Williams, signed from sixth-tier Banbury, provides midfield energy, while Liam Kelly is neat in possession. Danilo Orsi, Adam Campbell and Klaidi Lolos all provide goals, with Lolos particularly impressive after signing from Oxford City. 

Crewe goalkeeper Maksymilian Stryjek was the hero in the penalty shoot-out. The 27-year-old has impressed in his five appearances since signing on an emergency loan. Player of the season Mickey Demetriou forms a fantastic partnership with loan star Ed Turns. Demetriou bagged his ninth goal of the season in the second leg. Lee Bell has a dilemma on his hands with who he plays upfront, with Elliot Nevitt, Courtney Baker-Richardson and Chris Long all providing different options. 

Again, this game seems too close to call, with both sides offering unique threats. As mentioned, Mickey Demetriou scored his ninth goal of the season in the first leg, with Alex particularly strong from set pieces. The 34-year-old is averaging 0.77 shots per 90. 

Prediction: Mickey Demetriou to score @ 9.80

Recommended Bets:

Back Bolton to qualify & George Thomason to be booked @ 4.20
Back Mickey Demetriou to score in Crawley vs Crewe @ 9.80