On Wednesday night Plymouth Argyle will find out who they will face in the League 2 playoff final at Wembley at the end of the month when the second semi-final comes to a conclusion at the Wham Stadium in Accrington.
AFC Wimbledon head north with a 1-0 lead from the first leg and they will be looking to confirm that advantage but we’ve already seen sides behind from the first leg give things a real good go in the playoffs this year so this one is perfectly set up.
Accrington
Players, fans and management of Accrington Stanley could be forgiven for thinking this isn’t going to be their season. First of all they were denied automatic promotion in injury time on the final day and then AFC Wimbledon took the lead in this tie in injury time in the first leg so they have to overcome any mental demons heading into this match.
With everything the club have been through in the distant past you wouldn’t think a few pieces of bad luck is enough to derail them but they will be under pressure here, you always are as the side who finishes one out of the automatic spots in these things and even more so when there was a 10pt gap to your opponents.
Wimbledon
In contrast Wimbledon will probably be riding a crest of a wave. A mini-slump at the end of February nearly put paid to their playoff hopes but they fought back to make it into the postseason and now they have a great chance of at least making it to Wembley and who knows from there.
They also have to battle a few mental things in this match. Do they stick with what they’ve got, play for the draw perhaps and protect their lead or do they try and play on the front foot and go and extend their advantage and possibly open the door for Accrington to do their thing?
Team news
John Coleman has no new injury issues for this match but it is a blow that his side remain without the influential Matt Crooks. Terry Gornell and Shay McCartan will be hoping for recalls to the side.
Wimbledon boss Neil Ardley has no other injury worries either. He has to decide whether to play Adebayo Akinfenwa from the start or use him off the bench. He was a game changer when he came on in the first leg.
Betting
This always had the look of being a tight and nervy tie about it purely because of the size of the clubs involved and the potential reward at the end of it and that is exactly how it panned out in the first leg.
Wimbledon stole the advantage at the end of that match but Accrington are strong enough at home that they are not out of the tie by any means. I’ve a feeling this one could go all the way. Away goals don’t count so we don’t need to worry about those and a one goal home win appears about right to me.
From there the match becomes a little bit more of a lottery but with everything that has gone on this season I don’t think either side will be risking too much in extra time were it to get to that so if the scores are level after 90 minutes I can see this one needing penalties to be settled.
You can get 11/1 on either side to win on penalties and given that this isn’t a match that I have a really strong feel for I’m going to cover both sides to win a shootout and try and nab some decent cash to head into the final with.
Tips
Back Accrington to win on penalties for a 1/10 stake at 12.00 with Paddy Power
Back AFC Wimbledon to win on penalties for a 1/10 stake at 12.00 with Paddy Power
Back them here:
