There is one spot left in Sky Bet League 1 next season and on Monday afternoon it will be filled under the sunshine of Wembley Stadium when Coventry City take on Exeter City in the Sky Bet League 2 play-off final.
An entire season comes down to one match for these two with the winners gaining promotion to the third tier and the losers being consigned to another campaign in the basement division. Everything is on the line on what may be a tight and tense afternoon in the capital.
Coventry City
The Sky Blues have had an up and down season I think it is fair to say but they look to have found their best form at the right time. They produced a solid run to make it into the play-offs and then they took care of Notts County over two legs in the semi-final to book their spot here. You could argue they were fortunate with some decisions over the tie but the better side progressed.
Throughout the bulk of the regular season Coventry had the best defensive record in the division but as the season went on they started scoring more and more goals with the form of Marc McNulty influential in their improvement and they look to be timing their run to perfection. With an army of fans behind them they will feel tough to beat.
Exeter City
The Grecians looked like they might get automatic promotion for much of the campaign but when push came to shove they couldn’t quite overhaul Wycombe Wanderers and they were forced to settle for the play-offs. They saw off Lincoln comfortably enough over the two legs to book their spot in this final for the second year in a row.
Things did not go well for them in this match last year when Blackpool proved too good for them and it will be down to Paul Tisdale and his coaching staff to get any memories of that occasion out of the heads of the Exeter players and focusing on the here and now. Exeter play a direct style but you do wonder if that is suited to Wembley Stadium.
Team News
Coventry City are expected to be unchanged from that famous night at Meadow Lane. Tom Davies continues his suspension so he misses out here while Jodi Jones remains on the sidelines with his injury.
Paul Tisdale has reported no fresh injuries in what is widely expected to be his final match in charge of the Devonians. Troy Brown remains out which is not ideal. Robbie Simpson will be hoping to start the match.
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Betting
These two met twice in the regular season and they both won their home matches without conceding a goal but there is no doubt in my mind that Coventry City are the better of the two teams and I fancy that the wide expanses of Wembley will suit them well. It certainly suited them well in the Checkatrade Trophy final last year and in Marc McNulty they have the man most likely to make a big impact on the encounter.
In the build up to the final we will hear all about how good a footballing side Exeter City are but that was old days. They are a typical direct League 2 team these days and if Jayden Stockley doesn’t get the better of the Coventry defence there will be huge pressure on the likes of Hiram Boateng and Ryan Harley to get the better of this classy Coventry midfield. I don’t see that happening. Coventry will be roared on by up to 40,000 and their class can prevail here.
Tips
WON – Back Coventry to beat Exeter for a 4/10 stake at 2.30 with Bet365
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