League One fans, it is time to strap yourselves in: the playoff semi-finals are here. With League Two’s playoff matches getting underway on Thursday and Friday, all eyes will be on the Football League with no top flight action until Sunday afternoon. We should learn a lot from both first leg fixtures…
Sunderland and Portsmouth will go head-to-head on Saturday and the Stadium of Light will be expecting big things. A positive result for Sunderland will put them in the driving seat – expect the Black Cats to use missing out on automatic promotion as the catalyst for playoff success.
In Sunday’s encounter, in-form Charlton Athletic travel to Doncaster Rovers for what could be a tricky contest. The Addicks ended the 2018/19 campaign on a high, losing just one of their last 15 league games. Confidence is high in the Charlton camp but Doncaster have the quality to pull off an upset.
Without further ado, it is time to take an in-depth look at the two League One games. It isn’t do or die time just yet but gaining an advantage, particularly for the home teams, is pivotal. Scroll down for my top tips ahead of this weekend’s first leg playoff fixtures…
SATURDAY
SUNDERLAND vs PORTSMOUTH
Automatic promotion was there for the taking but Sunderland failed to win any of their final four league games of the season. Now, a tricky double header with Portsmouth awaits and the Black Cats will be wary of complacency at the Stadium of Light.
Sunderland have scored the opening goal in three of their last four games but Jack Ross’ side have been pegged back on all three occasions. Nerves could affect Sunderland (3/4 to win the tie) if the Black Cats fail to make an early impression on Saturday night.
Portsmouth nicked a point in this fixture last month and the visitors will be quietly confident of notching a positive result here. Like Sunderland, Pompey have struggled to get over the finishing line in recent matches – their last win came back on April 22nd.
Ronan Curtis could be Portsmouth’s difference maker in this fixture. The 23-year-old scored in the 2-1 victory over Charlton Athletic back in March and he is due a goal. Football betting odds with 888sport show Curtis at 13/5 to get his name on the scoresheet.
My best bet ahead of this clash is for both teams to score at 5/6. On paper, this looks like a typically cagey contest but an early goal could change things. Sunderland and Portsmouth both have enough attacking quality to make an impact.
TIP: Both teams to score (5/6 with 888sport)
PREDICTED SCORE: Sunderland 1-1 Portsmouth (5/1 with 888sport)
SUNDAY
Doncaster Rovers vs CHARLTON ATHLETIC
Doncaster finished sixth in League One this season – a whole 15 points behind Charlton in third spot. Rovers have lost just three home league games in 2018/19 and plenty of punters will be keen to back Doncaster at 5/4 to take a lead into the second leg.
The hosts picked up four points from their two league games against Charlton this season and that is another statistic in their favour. 31/20 for over 1.5 Doncaster goals is a solid bet if you fancy Rovers to put Charlton to the sword.
On the other hand, you’ve got the in-form team in League One. Charlton are looking very strong ahead of the playoffs and most neutrals will be expecting the Addicks to be playing in the Championship next season. Watch this space, Charlton mean business.
John Marquis and Lyle Taylor scored 21 goals apiece during the League One campaign and 888sport punters can back the two strikers at 11/8 and 2/1 respectively. With two of the division’s best attackers on the pitch, neutrals could be set for an entertaining clash.
Charlton are in fantastic form and the 4/7 for the visitors to avoid defeat is an exceptional price. The Addicks have been sensational in 2019 and Doncaster may struggle to cope with their intense style of attacking football. This one could get out of hand…
TIP: Charlton to win OR draw (4/7 with 888sport)
PREDICTED SCORE: Doncaster 1-2 Charlton (10/1 with 888sport)
*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*
