Charlton v Sunderland Betting Preview: Who’s heading back to the Championship?
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Odds and preview for League One play-off final
It’s been a tough few years for Charlton Athletic and Sunderland. But this afternoon’s League One play-off final will give one of them the chance to start a bright new era.
There were only three points between these sides in the table, and with so much at stake, it could be very tight at Wembley.
It gets started at 3pm on Sky Sports Football, but you can warm up with all the pre-match odds and info right here…
Head-to-Head
If this clash is anywhere near as good as the unforgettable 4-4 draw in the 1998 First Division play-off final, we’re in for something special. Shaun Newton scored the winning spot-kick for the Addicks that day.
Charlton just edge the head-to-head record, with 28 wins to Sunderland’s 27, though the Black Cats got the better of today’s opponents in league action this term. Jack Ross’ side won 2-1 at the Stadium of Light in August, before a 1-1 draw in the reverse fixture.
Likely XIs
Charlton: Phillips; Dijksteel, Bauer, Sarr, Purrington; Bielik, Cullen, Morgan; Aribo; Parker, Taylor
Sunderland: McLaughlin; O’Nein, Ozturk, Flanagan, Oviedo; Cattermole, Power; Gooch, Honeyman, Maguire; Wyke
Lee Bowyer could stick with the side that sealed a dramatic penalties win against Doncaster Rovers in the semi-finals.
That would see Krystian Bielik pushed into midfield, allowing Joe Aribo to operate in the hole.
Ross kept things tight with a three-man midfield last time out to book Sunderland’s place at Wembley. But Grant Leadbitter could drop out here to make room for more attacking firepower.
If Aiden McGeady isn’t fit to start, Chris Maguire, George Honeyman and Lynden Gooch should play in support of Charlie Wyke.
Key Battles
Aribo’s impressive displays for Charlton have been noticed by sides higher up the pyramid. And if Sunderland are going to get anything, they’ll need to minimise the in-demand midfielder’s influence.
Lyle Taylor also has the quality to be the match-winner, having scored 22 goals and set up 10 more in league action this term.
Charlton had the second-best defence in the division this season, conceding just 40 goals in 46 games. If McGeady doesn’t start, who’ll supply the goals for Sunderland? No one else in their squad got into double digits this term.
Match Odds
Our traders can’t call this one. Both sides are 10/11 to win promotion, though Sunderland are narrow 6/4 favourites to win in 90 minutes, with Charlton at 15/8. There’s 11/5 about the scores finishing level and the match going to extra-time.
Both sides have scored in eight of the last nine meetings between these sides. We go 4/5 that they both net at Wembley.
As for who’ll get those goals, Taylor is 4/1 favourite to open the scoring for Charlton and 17/10 anytime. Our traders have Igor Vetokele at 11/4 to score, with Aribo a 3/1 shot.
Wyke and Will Grigg are both 5/1 to get the first goal and 2/1 to net at any point, with McGeady going for 23/10 anytime.
View the latest Charlton v Sunderland odds.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
