EFL experts combine for Championship play-off final score predictions, plus League One and League Two verdicts

Add as preferred source on Google

The EFL season comes to a close this weekend with the play-off finals across the Championship, League One, and League Two. Here, our team predicts the outcome of all three games.

What a season it has been across all three leagues. From the incredible record-breaking Leeds United and Burnley battling for the Championship title, to Birmingham and Wrexham completing the Hollywood double in League One, and what can only be described as pure chaos in League Two.

Now, it all comes down to just one more game in the three divisions, with promotion on the line in the play-off finals on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday.

Sheffield United and Sunderland go head-to-head in the Championship play-off final, with the Blades firm favourites to secure the win at Wembley.

Leyton Orient will look to complete an incredible story for themselves when they face Charlton Athletic in the League One final.

And then, Walsall, who looked set to secure automatic promotion months ago, will have to go one step further and get past a spirited AFC Wimbledon side to escape League Two.

Here, the EFL Analysis team puts their cards on the table to offer up play-off final predictions for all three games.

• READ MORE: How the 10 most recent Championship play-off winners have fared following promotion to the Premier League

EFL Analysis team shares play-off final predictions

Championship

Sunderland and Sheffield United are first up at Wembley on Saturday afternoon. The Opta supercomputer never expected Sunderland to get this far, and on paper, the Blades are surely the favourites given their league position and strength in depth. But what do our team think?

Callum Boyle said: “A very close one to call here but I think Sheffield United will have just enough to get over the line. Their play-off record is terrible but I feel Sunderland had their big moment in the semi-final with the Dan Ballard goal. The Blades to win it in the 90 minutes but by a single goal.”

Adam Elliott said: “Tight. Hard to call. It may just come down to who has the most match-winners on the pitch and whether they turn up on the day. Or it may go all the way! Let’s go 0-0 and Sunderland on penalties.”

Josh Barker said: “I predicted Sheffield United to win the play-offs before the semi-finals got underway and my stance hasn’t changed. The Blades dominated Bristol City over two legs and though Regis Le Bris’ side showed patches of quality to get past Coventry City, United are just a step above them. Sheffield United will be 2-1 winners.”

Khai Smith said: “Sheffield United will beat Sunderland at Wembley. Despite the Black Cats’ incredible victory on aggregate over Coventry City, the Blades just have too much strength going through the squad, and will run out 2-1 winners, with Tom Cannon scoring the winner.”

As for my own thoughts, I do think we will see a very tight and cagey game; one that will likely end up being 1-0 either way. Sunderland do have the quality to hurt Sheffield United if their attacking players are firing, but the Blades have that gritty resilience you need to win these kinds of games. My heart says Sunderland, but my head says Sheffield United will take it 1-0.

• READ MORE: Championship expert backs play-off final to be decided by ‘odd goal’ in Sunderland vs Sheffield United score prediction

League One

It’s Nathan Jones versus Richie Wellens in the League One play-offs. Two big characters, and two strong teams, with Leyton Orient possessing great attacking talent, and Charlton being one of the best defensive teams in the division. Which side are our writers backing?

Callum Boyle said: “I’m backing Leyton Orient in this one. Charlton will be the favourites but I think Nathan Jones’ emotions will get the better of him. Richie Wellens has been brilliant with Orient and tactically very astute. They will beat Charlton but if they don’t go all the way, Wellens will be in the Championship before the end of the year. Mark my words.”

Adam Elliott said: “Charlton make things low-margin and have done all season and won both games between the pair this year by a one-goal margin as well. 1-0 to the Addicks (again).”

Josh Barker said: “Charlton Athletic’s rise over the last few months has been commendable. They made a late push for automatic promotion, and though they came up short, they deserve to be in the play-off final. Nathan Jones’ team are a quality outfit and should prove too much for a Leyton Orient team who narrowly made it into the top six. I’ll go 3-1 to Charlton.”

Khai Smith said: “Charlton Athletic’s defensive strength will see them past Leyton Orient at Wembley in what will be an extremely tight affair. Nathan Jones’ side will take an early lead through Matty Godden, and see out a 1-0 win to secure their Championship return.”

For me, as solid as Charlton are at the back, I just think Orient have got too much in the final third for the Addicks to handle. Charlie Kelman is on fire and Jamie Donley is a fantastic playmaker, and the pair will make Charlton’s life miserable on Sunday. I fancy a 2-1 win for Orient.

• READ MORE: Leyton Orient and Charlton Athletic’s fate decided by supercomputer in League One play-off final prediction

League Two

Walsall go into the play-off final hoping to make amends for a catastrophic collapse in the back end of the main season, going from title favourites to fourth place. The odds are in Walsall’s favour now, but AFC Wimbledon will surely give it everything to return to the third tier on Monday night. Here’s what our team think…

Callum Boyle said: “League Two has been open and quite frankly, chaotic. Walsall managed to hold their nerve in the semi-final, something they failed at in the second half of the league. Wimbledon haven’t had much of a mention and did cruise through in the semi-finals against a very poor Notts County. Wimbledon to win.”

Adam Elliott said: “Wimbledon have conceded the fewest goals in the division this season and I’m expecting a shut out again here if they take the lead. 1-0 to Wimbledon, making it a frankly incredible weekend for Charlton legend Johnnie Jackson.”

Josh Barker said: “AFC Wimbledon had the best defensive record in League Two this season and I think the cagey nature of this game makes them favourites. Walsall’s attack has been formidable but Wimbledon have already proven against Notts County they are capable of nullifying high-scoring sides. I’ll go 1-0 to Wimbledon.”

Khai Smith said: “In the League Two play-off final, despite their excellent semi-final display against Chesterfield, Walsall will be made to regret their top three bottle as AFC Wimbledon return to League One. The Dons have promotion in their blood and a 2-1 win will see them rise to the third tier.”

I’ll round things out here by predicting what could be the most comprehensive victories across the three games. I really like Wimbledon’s spirit, but Walsall just have too much quality for me to see anything but a win for the Saddlers. That Walsall attack is too strong, so I’ll go for a 2-0 win.