After a tough and brilliant season in the Championship, League One and League Two, it is now near time for the most lucrative games of the season to start: The Playoffs.
The playoffs in any league are season defining, they decide who steps up and gets promoted.
After 46 games throughout the season, playoff teams’ fates rest on results in three matches, one played at home, one away and potentially one big day at Wembley.
The playoffs are played over the course of five days with teams given two days off to recover.
Within the Championship four teams battled it out – Sheffield United, Sunderland, Bristol City and Coventry City.
In League One Stockport County, Charlton Athletic, Wycombe Wanderers and Leyton Orient fought for promotion
And in League Two it fell to Walsall, Wimbledon, Notts County and Chesterfield to provide the drama.
The Championship
The teams in the Championship playoffs have all been in top half positions in the league this season.
Coventry got into the Championship playoffs after a 2-0 win against Middlesbrough on the last day in the league.
Bristol managed to get in due to Blackburn drawing 1-1 to Sheffield United and Millwall losing 3-1 to Burnley.
In the Bristol and Sheffield United game, Sheffield dominated beating Bristol over two legs with two 3-0 wins.
This gave Sheffield a route to Wembley where they play Sunderland.
Sunderland vs Coventry was a close tie that went to extra time in the second leg with Sunderland winning it in the dying moments of extra time due to a Ballard header.
The two teams in the final have plenty of experience at Wembley between them, and it is expected to be a close game.
League One
The League One playoff Final has two London based clubs facing each other in Leyton Orient and Charlton Atheltic.
Charlton, who finshed the season in fourth, have been a good run of form, with only one loss in five matches and beat Wycombe to Wembley thanks to a 1-0 win at The Valley.
Leyton Orient, have had similar success, after winning six in a row before the playoffs and drawing twice to Stockport beating them on penalties.
The two London clubs facing each other at Wembley should be in for a close game as their head to head in the league shows the last time they played each other Charlton won 2-1.
The final will take place on Sunday 25th at 13:01 and is broadcast on Sky Sports.
League Two
The League Two playoffs will be Wimbledon playing against Walsall on the 26th May.
Wimbledon found their way to Wembley after beating Notts County in two 1-0 wins.
Wimbledon will be looking to add to their limited Trophy cabinet with a win and promotion to see them end their three year stint in League Two.
Chesterfield Played Walsall, with Walsall winning both legs with confidence.
Paul Cook’s men didn’t live up to expectations and will be playing in League Two again next season with expectations of going up in their second year.
Mat Sadlers men, took charge over chesterfield in both legs, with a 2-0 win away and a 2-1 win at home.
Walsall have an equal desire to win the playoffs as, this season they found themselves have a fall from the top near the close of the season after being top for the majority of this season.
Walsall and Wimbledon have been on equal form with both wining three in three and a equal head to head.
The final is on Monday the 26th and broadcast on Sky sports.
Conclusion of all the Leagues.
In the Championship the very clear favorite is Sheffield as they have plenty experience in the playoffs and have been one of the better teams in the league this season.
However, Sunderland have the social media marketing with the phrase “Til the end” all over their socials which is getting the fans in the mood to get behind the players.
In League One, Charlton and Leyton Orient are expecting a close game, with the game able to go either way.
League Two is the closest promotion race this season with all the teams on similar form.
It could go either way at Wembley as they are both good sides, however Walsall have had a better season overall winning 21 and losing 11 and missing out on automatics by a point.
For more Infomation on the playoffs visit the EFL website.
(Featured image credit: Wikipedia Commons)
