Entertaining League Two Playoff at Wembley
Blackpool and Exeter City meet at Wembley on Sunday afternoon in a one-off match to see who will win promotion from League Two.
Playoff matches are always hugely exciting games, with so much at stake and both sets of fans are in for a nervy afternoon at the home of English football. Will it be Gary Bowyer’s Blackpool or Paul Tisdale’s Exeter City who leave Wembley on Sunday evening happy with the result?
Trends show Blackpool have lost only one of their previous seven games and come into this match in good form. The single defeat came at Notts County towards the end of April and while a disappointing result to a team in the bottom half of League Two, it did not stop Blackpool from claiming the final playoff spot.
Having finished in 7th place, Blackpool were always going to be up against it in the playoffs, as they were forced to play 4th place Luton Town. However, as is often the case with playoff semi-finals, it’s the team who took the final playoff spot on the last day of the season who go into the match with higher spirits and Blackpool won a thrilling two-legged tie 6-5 on aggregate.
Looking at their goal scoring record, trends show Blackpool have scored exactly 3 goals in four of their previous five matches and will be aiming to do the same in this game.
Despite losing their final game of the regular League Two season to Carlisle at home, Exeter City remained in the playoff places and finished the season in 5th place. With only three defeats in their last twelve games, Exeter City became difficult to beat towards the end of the season and this was enough to see them secure a playoff tie against the team they lost to on the final day of the season, Carlisle.
Much like Blackpool’s playoff semi-final, Exeter City and Carlisle produced two fantastic football matches, with the Grecians coming through 6-5 on aggregate over the two legs.
Trends show Exeter City have more than matched Blackpool in the goal scoring stakes recently and have scored exactly 3 goals in four of their five previous games plus 2 goals in the match in which they failed to score 3 times.
Blackpool have seen several players return to training this week in a bid to be fit for the League Two playoff final. Jamille Matt has returned from a hamstring injury but even if fit, will probably have to settle for a place on the bench. Striker, Kyle Vassell had a similar problem which saw him miss the second leg of the playoff semi-final and is rated as doubtful.
Exeter City have an almost fully fit squad available, with only Robbie Simpson who has an ankle knock and long-term absentee, Matt Jay as the players who will probably miss out. Therefore, Tisdale may stick with the same team which started the second leg of the semi-final against Carlisle.
Given the recent goal scoring exploits of both teams, this could be a very exciting match. Look at backing both teams to score in the second half and do not be surprised to see this game go into extra time, with the possibility of a penalty shootout to decide the winner.
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