2019 EFL League Two Promotion Playoff Final Odds & Picks: Newport County vs Tranmere Rovers
- Tranmere slightly favored to reach League One
- County hope for more good times
- Both teams are Wembley regulars
Tranmere Rovers will be hoping to win promotion at Wembley Stadium for the second season in succession when they face Newport County in the EFL League Two Playoff final on Saturday, May 25 at 10:00 am EST at Wembley Stadium.
EFL League Two Playoff Final Odds
| Team | Spread | Win | Total | Odds to Lift Trophy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newport County | 0.0 (+110) | +200 | O2.0 (-130) | EVEN |
| Tranmere Rovers | 0.0 (-140) | +140 | U 2.0 (EVEN) | -125 |
| Draw | N/A | +205 | N/A | N/A |
*Odds taken at 05/22/2019
After winning there in May last year to gain promotion from the lower tier National League back into the Football League, they are narrow favorites at -125 to make it a double.
But the odds are tight with the Welsh side Newport at even-money. A tight game is expected. So a win by Tranmere at the end of normal time looks inviting at +140.
Around 20,000 supporters will be at the game from Tranmere, a small club who are in the shadow of their neighboring giants on Merseyside, Liverpool and Everton.
Absolute scenes as Mike Dean – yes, THAT Mike Dean the referee – has gone mental celebrating Tranmere Rovers booking a spot in the play-offs ?pic.twitter.com/1Ozpo9EZ1d
— Goal (@goal) May 13, 2019
Like Rovers, Newport have faced financial troubles and have previously dropped out of the EFL during an embattled history.
Now, with both teams enjoying better times, they will also take around 20,000 supporters to London.
Dramatic Finals in Store
The League Two playoff final is the beginning of a showpiece three days of EFL promotion shoot-outs at Wembley which are often among the most dramatic days in the English football calendar.
In the regular season, Tranmere finished in sixth place to claim their entry to the playoff. Newport were seventh.
?League Two play-off final ticket allocations:
Newport County – 19,707
Tranmere Rovers – 19,707?Champions League final allocations:
Liverpool – 16,613
Spurs – 16,613?Europa League final allocations:
Chelsea – 6,000
Arsenal – 6000 pic.twitter.com/bsXWiU1YU7— Thatsagoal (@thatsagoal) May 21, 2019
The teams in the first three places win automatic promotion. The four below then contest the final place available in League One.
Tranmere defeated Forest Green Rovers 1-0 in the semifinal first leg at home and then secured their place at Wembley with a 1-1 away draw.
Rovers’ form at the end of the regular season was patchy. They lost twice and drew twice in their final four matches.
Newport were held 1-1 at home in their first leg by Mansfield Town. The second leg was even more intense and finished 0-0 after extra-time. Newport then won the ensuing penalty shoot-out 5-3.
Rovers’ form at the end of the regular season was patchy. They lost twice and drew twice in their final four matches.
? “We’ll give our everything at Wembley.”
We catch up with David Pipe and Matty Dolan, ahead of training at the @CardiffCityStad this morning ? #OurJourneyContinues #NCAFC pic.twitter.com/S7XtH3XzR3
— Newport County AFC (@NewportCounty) May 20, 2019
They are likely to rely heavily on forward James Norwood. He is the leading goalscorer in League Two this season with 30 goals. He scored the equaliser in the second leg against Forest Green which earned his team’s place in the final.
Padraig Amond is Newport’s leading goal-getter with 15. He scored in the first leg of the semifinal against Mansfield.
County Had Impressive Run-In
Their form during the run-in to the regular season was more impressive than Tranmere’s.
They enjoyed a 10-match unbeaten run to ensure their place in the playoffs – winning six times and drawing on four occasions.
Both teams have become familiar with the imposing surroundings of Wembley in recent times despite being small clubs.
Tranmere beat Borehamwood there in last season’s non-league National League playoff final. They were beaten there a year earlier in the National League playoff final by Forest Green.
Newport returned to EFL by winning the National League promotion playoff final against fellow Welshmen Wrexham.
Newport lost the 2012 non-league FA Trophy cup competition final at Wembley against York City.
A year later they returned to EFL by winning the National League promotion playoff final against fellow Welshmen Wrexham.
In 2018, they played at Wembley against EPL giants Tottenham Hotspur in the FA Cup.
Famous Draw Against Tottenham
Spurs were using the stadium as a temprorary home. After a famous 1-1 draw at their own Rodney Parade home, Newport lost the fourth round replay 2-0.
4 days and counting!
Tranmere Rovers boss Micky Mellon spoke to us today in the sunshine, ahead of Saturday’s League Two play-off final at Wembley. pic.twitter.com/D2I3NB3Ook
— BBC Merseyside Sport (@bbcmerseysport) May 21, 2019
Rovers’ manager Mickey Mellon is a former player for the club. He made 54 appearances for them between 1997 and 1999. Newport’s manager Mike Flynn played for the club in four different spells.
Pick: Tranmere Rovers Win +140
John Dillon is a leading member of the UK's sporting media, having spent three decades as a national newspaper soccer and sports writer, broadcaster and author. He has covered five World Cups, six European Championships and was Chief Sports Writer at the Daily Express for 14 years.
