Championship play-offs: Semis look set for Owls and Hull ahead of second legs
Published:
Jamie Clark, Sports Editor | May 15, 2016
No side in the Football League play-offs have ever overturned a two-goal deficit in a semi-final tie, so the prospects of Championship hopefuls Brighton and Hove Albion and Derby County look bleak.
Chris Hughton’s Seagulls have home advantage against Sheffield Wednesday, however, on Monday, but are 2-0 down after their first leg.
The Rams, meanwhile, go to the KC Stadium on Tuesday where they tackle Hull City, who enjoy a handsome 3-0 lead over the East Midlands outfit.
Brighton and Hove Albion v Sheffield Wednesday
- Championship play-off semi-final second leg
- Monday, May 16th
- Kick-off time: 19:45 BST
- Amex Stadium, Falmer
- Live on Sky Sports 1
Seagulls shall struggle to make comeback
Brighton may be 13/10 favourites to win on the night, but must score three goals without reply to make the play-off final, or twice and take their chances in a penalty shoot-out.
Wednesday are 23/10 outsiders for a second leg victory, but it is a draw at 11/5 that appeals for this south coast showdown.
Both regular season meetings between the Seagulls and Owls finished level and goalless. It’s a score draw that looks decent value this time, though, with a fine 5/1 price available on it being 1-1 in 90 minutes.
Wilson and Wallace will offer respective threats
Albion’s on-loan forward James Wilson has got some big goals at the Amex this season, and the Manchester United-owned attacker is a tempting 5/1 punt to net last here.
Given how Brighton have drawn in all three of their encounters with Wednesday this term, however, anytime prices for Wilson and leading marksman Tomer Hemed do look a little short at 5/4 apiece, especially as the latter limped off.
Some guile from the wings will be necessary, and there’s more to like about Anthony Knockaert (if fit) and Jamie Murphy as respective 10/3 scorer shouts.
Ross Wallace broke the deadlock in the first leg, and he’s a 6/1 anytime shout to find the target again. Carlos Carvalhal could do with more from front two Fernando Forestieri (11/5) and Gary Hooper (6/4) too.
Hull City v Derby County
- Championship play-off semi-final second leg
- Tuesday, May 17th
- Kick-off time: 19:45 BST
- KC Stadium, Kingston Upon Hull
- Live on Sky Sports 1
Tigers should show teeth again
Steve Bruce’s Hull were hugely impressive in dismantling Derby at Pride Park. The Rams were never in the first leg, and look as if they’ve choked in the play-offs yet again.
With the hosts on Humberside made strong 11/10 favourites to win in 90 minutes, County have to score four away goals to come through the tie.
It’s no wonder even a draw seems a remote prospect at 9/4, and Derby are 23/10 to win in normal time.
Hitman Hernandez set to strike again
Although he’s evens to net anytime, Hull top scorer Abel Hernandez appeals at 4/1 to grab the opening goal having done so in the first leg.
Tigers left back Andy Robertson gave a hugely impressive all-round display, capped by his stoppage time strike to heap more misery on the Rams. He’s 13/2 to repeat by scoring anytime.
From the Derby side of things, Chris Martin is a tempting 2/1 to get a goal here and will surely not be left as isolated as he was in the first leg with County chasing the tie.
Related
Coral’s top tip: Hernandez is fab 4/1 price to score first for Hull against Derby.
