FOR pure footballing drama, you can’t beat the play-offs.
They always throw up thrills and spills – so, let’s look at the six ties across three divisions . . .
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CHAMPIONSHIP
BRISTOL CITY v SHEFF UTD
(First leg, Thursday May 8, 8pm; Second leg Monday, May 12)
BLADES fans were gutted not to get promoted automatically after they lost four of their last six games — crucially three in a row to Oxford, Millwall and Plymouth.
Sheffield United have had a good season. They finished the season averaging two points per game — before their points deduction — but have missed out to Leeds and Burnley, who both amassed ONE HUNDRED!
I always fear for a club that misses out on automatic promotion but they have had the time to mentally reset.
They are up against a Bristol City side that just about clung on to their play-off spot after just one win in their last five games.
Sheff U won 2-1 in October at Ashton Gate but the Robins were brilliant in the March return, although they needed a late leveller.
Chris Wilder’s Blades should edge this over two legs, despite their terrible play-off record (scroll down to see just how bad it is). A big performance from Championship player of the season Gus Hamer will be needed — but City carry a threat through Nahki Wells and Anis Mehmeti.
COVENTRY v SUNDERLAND
(First leg, Friday May 9, 8pm; second leg Tuesday, May 13)
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Frank Lampard has worked miracles at Coventry since taking over in November.
They were SEVENTEENTH when he replaced the controversially sacked Mark Robins.
Nine wins out of ten from January to March fired Cov up the table but when you have players such as Haji Wright, Ellis Sims, Ben Sheaf, Matt Grimes and the brilliant Jack Rudoni, you should be around the top positions.
Sunderland pretty much knew for months they were set for a play-off spot. They have lost their last five, and you just feel that not playing games with much on the line for some time makes them less battle hardened but Jobe Bellingham and Co will try to put that behind them.
Cov came back from 2-0 down to nab a point at the Stadium of Light and a Wright hat-trick slayed Sunderland 3-0 in March.
I fancy the Sky Blues to prevail over the two legs.
LEAGUE ONE
LEYTON ORIENT v STOCKPORT
(First leg, Saturday May 10, 12.30pm; second leg Wednesday, May 14, 8pm)
WHAT a cracking semi-final this could be.
Richie Wellens’ Orient won the last six while David Challinor guided Stockport to seven wins and a draw out of their last eight.
County beat Orient 1-0 at Brisbane Road in March but the O’s thumped them 4-1 in the return.
Kyle Wootton is a threat up front for the Hatters, while Charlie Kelman has been a sensation for the O’s with 21 goals on loan from QPR.
I have a sneaking feeling Wellens’ men will get through.#
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WYCOMBE v CHARLTON
(First leg Sunday, May 11, 6.30pm; Second leg Thursday, May 15, 8pm)
THE Chairboys have been the League One upstarts and at one stage were looking at gatecrashing the automatic promotion party.
But the wheels have come off in recent weeks, losing the final three matches — including, alarmingly, a 4-0 defeat to Charlton, who they face in the play-offs.
Nathan Jones’ Addicks have lost just once in their last eight.
Matty Godden has been superb, scoring 21 goals in all competitions but Wanderers have Richard Kone up top, who has also netted 21 across the board this term.
You cannot write off Wycombe but I fancy Charlton.
LEAGUE TWO
NOTTS COUNTY v WIMBLEDON
(First leg Saturday, May 10 8pm; second leg Saturday May 17, 12.30pm)
THIS promises to be a cracker as Johnnie Jackson has re- established Wimbledon as a real force while Stuart Maynard has done a decent job with the Magpies.
David McGoldrick, 37, is red-hot for Notts County with 17 goals.
But watch out for Dons’ 21-goal top scorer Matty Stevens, who is due a goal.
CHESTERFIELD v WALSALL
(First leg Sunday, May 11, 3.30pm; Second leg Friday, May 16, 8pm)
WALSALL were at one point TWELVE points clear at the top.
Yet they were heartbreakingly bumped out of the top three by Antoni Sarcevic’s 96th-minute winner for Bradford.
It is so hard to recover from that kind of setback in such a short space of time.
Chesterfield are on a high after sneaking into the final play-off spot and under wily boss Paul Cook are my tip to prevail.
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