Prediction: Blackpool vs Exeter

Verdict: Over 2.5 goals

Best Odds: 17/20

Bookmaker: Bet 365

Blackpool and Exeter face each other in the League Two play-off final at Wembley on Sunday. Both sides know that their whole season boils down to this game and just 90 minutes separates them from their promotion dreams.

Blackpool

Gary Bowyer’s men can count themselves very lucky to be at Wembley after a 96^th minute goal was the deciding factor when they played Luton Town in the semi-final. Both ties were extremely entertaining with Blackpool progressing 6-5 on aggregate and if the final against Exeter is anything like that then we could be in for a treat. Games of this magnitude can often be very tight and sketchy, but the Tangerines have now scored 12 goals in five matches with striker Mark Cullen netting five times in that period. Blackpool fans have suffered some difficult seasons in recent times and it wasn’t so long ago when they were fighting in the Premier League under manager Ian Holloway. A few years on and they have found themselves three divisions down in the Football League’s bottom tier. However, the Bloomfield Road faithful will be hoping for a push in the right direction again with the help of a victory against Exeter at Wembley.

Team News

Forward Jamille Matt has missed the last five matches and remains a doubt. Top scorer Kyle Vassell could also miss out.

Exeter

Paul Tisdale’s team also benefitted from a slice of luck in their play-off semi-final when a last-minute Jack Stacey screamer sent them through 6-5 on aggregate. It seems Exeter have found a philosophy that’s worked for them all season and that’s to win the game by outscoring their opposition. The Grecians have netted 75 goals in 46 games which is quite some achievement and most of their attacking influences have come from Ollie Watkins and Ryan Harley who both have the ability to decide a match. Exeter will be hoping they can win the final at Wembley before Watkins potentially departs the club after being linked with several Sky Bet Championship teams. It’s been quite some turnaround for Tisdale’s men after finding themselves in the relegation zone during the first third of the season. However, with the competitive nature of League Two, it was always possible that a team could make huge strides up the table with a few consecutive wins. If Exeter win on Sunday, Tisdale would have done a tremendous job at a financially restricted club and it’s easy to see why he’s one of the longest and most respected managers in the Football League.

Team News

Robbie Simpson (ankle) and long-term absentee Matt Jay could miss the match.

Tisdale otherwise has a full-fit squad to choose from.

Key Factors to Consider

• Blackpool have won five of the last eight matches against Exeter (D1 L2)
• In all competitions, The Grecians have won just three of their last 14 matches against the Tangerines (D4 L7)
• Exeter have only kept once clean sheet in their last 19 matches
• Mark Cullen has played a part in 13 goals in his last 14 games for Blackpool
• This is the Tangerines seventh play-off final, more than any other team

Conclusion

If both of these sides’ semi-finals have anything to go by, then this has the potential to be an absolute classic. Blackpool and Exeter have the mentality of outscoring their opposition which could make for a great game, although one hard to call. Over 2.5 goals seems a safe bet.

Verdict: Over 2.5 goals

Best Odds: 17/20

Bookmaker: Bet 365