Championship play-off final betting preview
The east Midlands duo of Nottingham Forest and Leicester City will be staying in the Championship after their play-off semi-final heartache, although this will be easier to take than missing out at Wembley. For Cardiff or Blackpool, there will be ecstasy when the final whistle is blown, although the defeated team will be sobbing on the ground. It’s the Bluebirds who are the 13/10 favourites (bet365) to win Saturday afternoon’s clash, although they did need penalties to beat the Foxes en route to the final. Nevertheless, the Welsh team were six points better off than their opponents in the final standings and bet365 offer 4/6 that they make it to the promised land in some shape or form.
Nevertheless, the teams played out 1-1 draws at Bloomfield Road and the Cardiff City Stadium this term, so there might be nothing to separate them this weekend. On that basis, it’s Blackpool who look the value at odds-against (5/4 Boylesports) to be promoted, while you can back the Tangerines at 9/4 (Blue Square) to win in normal time. Ian Holloway’s team beat Nottingham Forest home and away to reach Wembley, with that 4-3 win at the City Ground one of the best performances in the club’s history.
DJ Campbell has previously struggled to settle at Derby, Leicester and Birmingham, although the striker seems to have found a home on the seaside. His hat-trick against Forest was sensational and bet365 offer 17/2 that he breaks the deadlock on Saturday afternoon. Indeed, Blackpool tend to play fearlessly and this approach could ruffle the feathers of a Cardiff team who are expected to pull off a victory. Dave Jones’ team might struggle to cope with conceding an early goal and the Seasiders look an attractive wager at 5/1 (Ladbrokes) to lead at half-time.
Alternatively, it’s easy to see the Tangerines turning things round and you can get 40/1 (Sporting Bet) that Cardiff lead at half-time but Blackpool kick on to have their noses in front by the final whistle. Then again, you might point to the fact that City were at Wembley contesting the FA Cup final two seasons ago and might have the edge with a vociferous support backing them all the way. Peter Whittingham has been outstanding all season and looks a value wager at 13/2 (Coral) to break the deadlock and lead the Bluebirds to the Premier League. Expect the unexpected with Michael Chopra who is on offer at 6/1 (Coral) to set his team on the way.
