Championship Play-Off Final Predictions > May 27th

[StevieDay1983]

[StevieDay1983]

The Championship Play-Off Final is now confirmed as Aston Villa versus Derby. Two sides that have a fair amount of experience in the top flight and are yearning for a return. Who will prevail victorious? Who will you be betting on? What other bets do you think will hold value? Let us know down below!

[StevieDay1983]

Aston Villa vs Derby

The big day is finally here and the most lucrative game in world football will pit Aston Villa against Derby in a 3pm kick-off at Wembley with the victorious team making a triumphant return to the Premier League after an absence that has no doubt been difficult for their fans.

Aston Villa come into this game with no injuries or suspensions. It will be a fantastic opportunity for Dean Smith to guide the Villains back to the top flight of English football after a short absence. The club pulled off a magnificent run of results late in the season to storm into the top six. Can they go the final step?

Derby pulled off one of the great comebacks in Championship play-off history when they beat Leeds in the semi-finals. It came at a cost for Frank Lampard's side with left back Scott Malone being suspended for this game but he should be replaced by the experienced Ashley Cole who is set to make his last professional appearance.

The head-to-head statistics don't make for great reading for Rams fans. They lost both of their games to Villa in the league this season by a combined score of 7-0 losing at home 3-0 and 4-0 away. Villa have also won 6 of their last 9 games against Derby. That said, they had a similarly poor record against Leeds but they navigated that problem.

Championship Play-Off Final matches are notoriously low-scoring affairs. The last time both teams scored in this show piece event was back in 2012 when West Ham beat Blackpool by a 2-1 score. However, you look at the scoring records of these two sides this season and if any teams are going to buck that trend it could be these two.

Villa fans will undoubtedly be nervous about this game. Wembley hasn't exactly been kind to them over the years. In fact, the Villains have lost 5 of their last 6 competitive matches. There is an equally ominous omen for Derby with the 6th placed team in the division earning promotion through the play-offs in just 1 of the last 13 seasons. Who was that? Yes, that oh so painful defeat for my beloved Cardiff against Blackpool in 2010!

This could be a very exciting game. I'm really doubtful we'll see a repeat score-line in the form of the last two encounters between these sides. I think we'll see a tighter game but I wouldn't be surprised to see both team score. I think Villa just have the better squad and it could show here.

Aston Villa to Win @ 2.25 with Betfred

BTTS @ 1.83 with Sportingbet

@waynecoyne, @sajtion, @arvee, @canaries91, @Mindfulness, @betcatalog, @Magic0024, @malabgd, @CloughandTaylor, @Tiffy, @Gidds, @chris50, @PokerWolf1, @teddybear3011, @skyblues88, @allyhibs, @Icongene, @KikoCy, @willie82, @Neubs, @Papa Lazarou, @kulikTS, @Valkovets, @Pipoca, @padman, @Marek76, @silver fox, @neilovan, @HastGill1, @jazzman02, @andypaps28, @Kenton Schweppes, @rangers234, @newjack, @Kane91, @yossa6133, @The Sexless Innkeeper, @Xcout, @branskie, @Wanderer89, @Hitch, @four-leaf, @trevor8, @OppoArchitizerLady, and @the bastardian, what bets are you guys placing for this game?

 

[waynecoyne]

After two goals v leeds Marriott is on the bench. I was hoping Lampard would go for it but this looks a cautious pick.

No bet for me as already involved ante post. 

[yossa6133]

Villa look way better on paper and should be winning inside 90mins...but very laboured against WBA so I won't be adding to my Villa bet.