The Race to the EPL: The Playoffs

Race for the EPL Picks

 

By Antony Jordan

The Premier League season is over (depending if the Manchester United v Bournemouth match will be replayed after being called off due to a bomb threat) and Aston Villa, Norwich and Newcastle have all been confirmed as playing in the Championship for next season. Burnley and Middlesbrough have returned to the EPL, but the third side that plays in the top flight is yet to be decided.

We are halfway through the Play Off semi-finals and Monday and Tuesday will see two of the four sides battling for promotion to the Premier League move into the richest game in world football – The Championship Play Off Final at Wembley. Who will it be? We preview both of these semi-final second legs with online sportsbook 10Bet.com to provide our best picks on these two matches.

Brighton v Sheffield Wednesday: 2.40 – 3.20 – 3.10

The first leg of this tie did not go well for the only side in these four teams that has never played in the Premier League as Brighton were beaten 2-0 at Hillsborough and saw four players, including the influential Tomer Hemed and Antony Knockaert, out of that match due to injury. With them missing out on an automatic place in the top flight on the final day of the season too, things are not looking good for the side that played some of the most attractive football in the league this season. With these four players missing along with the previously injured trio of Solly March, Uwe Hunemeier and Bobby Zamora as well as the suspended Dale Stephens and Lewis Dunk can they live up to their pre-match favourite billing?

The Amex has been an exceptional ground for The Seagulls this year as they have won seven and drawn three of their last ten home matches since a 1-0 loss to Wolves on January 1st and they have their defence to thank for this with six clean sheets in this ten match run. They had drawn 0-0 with Sheffield Wednesday on this ground during the season, their third successive goalless draw, but they will need to record their first win since 2012 if they are to stand a chance at making the Play Off Final.

Unfortunately for the home side in this second leg Wednesday are at full strength and are expected to field the same starting XI as the first leg on Friday night and, although they are without a win in three away matches coming into this game, their fully fit squad and two goal lead will give them a massive advantage for this second leg game and we can see them cruising into the Play Off Final at Wembley.

Our best Brighton v Sheffield Wednesday bet is back the away win on the Draw No Bet market @ 2.10 with 10Bet.com.

Hull City v Derby: 2.20 – 3.25 – 3.45

While things may look bad for Brighton they are comparatively rosy in comparison to the outlook at the iPro Stadium as Derby hosted Hull City on Saturday after recorded home and away wins against Steve Bruce’s men during the season and were soundly beaten 3-0. Now they have to travel North to the KC Stadium looking for a miracle if they are move into the Play Off Final looking for their biggest ever away win against The Tigers. They certainly have the players capable of winning this match, but can they score three against a side that has conceded just 12 goals in 23 league matches this season?

Hull’s only defeat at home this season came at the hands on Derby in November and since then they have won nine and drawn five of 14 matches, conceding just seven goals. However, Derby’s side contains players such as Tom Ince, Will Hughes and Chris Martin who are all game changers at this level and can easily turn this tie on its head and with nothing left to lose they will come out swinging at The KC Stadium on Tuesday night. While this tactic may reap goals for the visiting side, it is sure to allow a patient Hull team opportunities too and if the home side can find the net this tie will be over.

We can see this second leg clash being an entertaining match between two quality sides but we see the 1.01 shots to qualify for the Play Off Final (Hull)  booking their place at Wembley. However, with Derby attacking can they win this second leg? We are not confident of this and we feel that the value on this match is on goals, which we see being scored by both sides.

Our top Hull v Derby tip is back Both Teams to Score – Yes at odds of 2.00 in the 10Bet Sportsbook!