* All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
Blackpool lock horns with Lincoln at Wembley on Sunday for a spot in The Championship and, for whoever wins, it will mark the end of a long road back with both having gone through hard times of late. The Imps’ time away from the second tier has been significantly longer than The Tangerines’, but Blackpool’s has been far more volatile.
The Pool crashed out of the Premier League after one memorable season with Charlie Adam and Ian Holloway in 2010/11 and since then things haven’t been pretty. They went all the way down to League Two and the fans took a real stand and boycotted the club in protest over the ownership of the Oyston family. But since winning the League Two playoff in 2016/17 they haven’t looked back and, following a change of ownership, life’s a beach up on the north west coast.
NEW TO PADDY POWER?
Lincoln have become a real force of late following a steady slide which started with a brief dalliance with The Championship in 1998/99 (Legacy Fans™ called it Division 2 back then). 12 years in League Two followed before six years in the non league and their recent resurgence which has included two promotions in four years.
They’re eyeing a third in five now, but whoever wins will be basking in a redemption story for the ages. So, with the history lesson out of the way, here’s a Bet Builder to help you bag you some cash on Sunday.
Blackpool (-1)
As good as the Lincoln story is, I think they’re going to come unstuck here. I don’t say this lightly as The Imps are a fearsome outfit at this level who are hard to beat when on form. However, they have been slightly off it recently and this just feels like Blackpool’s year to me.
Pool failed to beat Lincoln home or away this season but they are in outstanding form now. Neil Critchley’s crew have gone six without defeat, winning five in a row before that mad 3-3 playoff semi final second leg draw with Oxford last Friday. They had already done enough to qualify in the first leg but still refused to be beaten by a side who simply had to win.
Sunday 3pm: Blackpool v Lincoln
Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football
Lincoln have won just two of the last six, with one of those coming in the first leg of their semi final against Sunderland. However, I was very impressed with how they manged to stem and then turn the tide against The Black Cats in the second leg to make sure they qualified for this game.
However, Blackpool are in excellent form and I’ve already tipped them to win the League One playoffs. I think they’ll have enough to get it done inside the 90 and possibly in some style so, at great value, I’ll put up Blackpool (-1) on the handicap as our first leg here.
Over 2.5 Goals
I think we’re in for a decent amount of entertainment along the way as well. We’ve seen 14 goals across the four League One semi finals so far and I don’t see them drying up here – despite what’s at stake.
We’re ticking along at an average of 3.5 Goals per game in the third-tier post-season party, but with my slightly adventurous shout in the first leg of this Bet Builder I’ll be a bit more reserved and plump for Over 2.5 Goals. It’s a punt that’s landed in 60% of these two teams’ combined last 10 games and just feels like the way to go.
Both Teams to Score
Lincoln’s blank against Wimbledon on the final day was the only occasion in the last 13 games where they have failed to find the net. Blackpool have scored in the last six on the bounce and, while both defences are generally pretty good, I think their attacks will triumph here.
They’ve scored nine combined in the playoffs so far and have both conceded three in a single game over their last six matches respectively. Based on all that, Both Teams To Score is my most confident selection in this game.
Jerry Yates to Score Anytime
Blackpool’s Jerry Yates has fired 23 goals in 50 appearances this season but had gone through something of a drought for him of late, going three games before scoring their third in the second leg against Oxford.
With Lincoln sharing the goals about there’s plenty of value if you fancy backing an Imp, but if we’re looking for our best bet in the goal scoring markets then Yates is our man. I’m on Jerry Yates to Score Anytime to round off our Bet Builder for the League One playoff final.
Bet Builder for Blackpool v Lincoln
Blackpool (-1)
Over 2.5 Goals
Both Teams to Score
Jerry Yates to Score Anytime
These selections in an acca-insured Bet Builder will give you odds or around 15/1 with Paddy Power.
NOT SURE WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT? CLICK HERE TO LEARN ALL ABOUT WHAT A BET BUILDER IS
BET BUILDER ACCA INSURANCE
If one leg of your 4+ fold Bet Builder lets you down, you get up to £/€10 back as a free bet. Customers can qualify for 1 Bet Builder Acca Insurance per day up to £/€10. The free bets will be credited by 12pm the following day.
* All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
READ MORE
- Southgate ignores 488 calls from Eric Dier after squad announcement
- Willock goal streak shows Newcastle striker flops how it’s done
- UEFA offer Arsenal place in Europa Essex Senior League
The Paddy Power Guide To Responsible Gambling – Everything You Need To Know
