LEAGUE ONE PLAY-OFFS
After narrowly missing out on automatic promotion Huddersfield have to be favourites to win the League One play-offs. The Terriers did not lose a single league game in 2011 and battled hard with Southampton for second place and an automatic promotion spot. Southampton eventually finished five points clear of the Yorkshire side, leaving them to battle it out in the play-offs with Bournemouth, Peterborough and MK Dons.
BOURNEMOUTH VS HUDDERSFIELD
Huddersfield will still be confident they can achieve promotion despite being forced to do it the hard way via the play-offs. Lee Clark has done a tremendous job but, despite being in excellent form, the play-offs are simply about three big games and who wants it more on the day. Huddersfield are no strangers to the play-offs after having lost out in the semi-final stage to Millwall last season, and they will be looking to use that experience and turn it into success this time around.
But Bournemouth, who earned promotion into League One last season, cannot be taken lightly as the Cherries have exceeded expectations to seal a place in the top six. At the start of the season a lot of outsiders probably felt Bournemouth would be facing a battle against relegation, but Eddie Howe continued to defy the odds and make huge strides forward with the club. Howe left for Burnley in January and it would have been easy for Bournemouth’s season to go completely off track. Although there have been blips along the way, such as falling out of the automatic promotion places, manager Lee Bradbury has ensured a place in the play-offs. Whatever the outcome of this tie, Bournemouth can take pride from what has been a magnificent season.
The key to this tie will be the first leg at Dean Court. Bournemouth have proved on many occasions this season that Dean Court is a tough place to visit for any opponent but, if Huddersfield can sneak a narrow win, they will feel very confident going into the second leg at the Galpharm Stadium. The pressure will mainly be on Huddersfield, who will be expected to come out on top, but that doesn’t mean Bournemouth will sit back and relax in what looks set to be a cracking tie.
PREDICTION
This is such a hard tie to call. Personally, I have huge respect for Bournemouth and would like to see them go all the way and, with the pressure off them, they certainly have a good chance. But I think Huddersfield can just about pip them to the post. Huddersfield to earn a 2-2 draw at Dean Court before earning a place in the final with a 3-1 win at the Galpharm Stadium.
MK DONS VS PETERBOROUGH
MK Dons will feel they have got nothing to lose as they take on Peterborough, but again, the home legs will be key in deciding the outcome. MK Dons have lost four league games at home this season, while Peterborough have suffered just three defeats at London Road. But the two sides have been far weaker on their travels, with MK Dons losing 11 away league games and Peterborough 10. This was proven further by the fact that both sides won their respective home games against each other during the regular season. MK Dons boss Karl Robinson became the youngster Football League manager last May when he stepped up from his assistant role following the departure of Paul Ince. The gamble paid off and he has enjoyed a great debut season with the club that could yet end in promotion to the Championship.
But Peterborough, now back under the guidance of Darren Ferguson, will be looking to get back into the Championship after just one season away from England’s second tier. Victory in the play-offs could mean that some of the club’s star names stay at London Road, but defeat to MK Dons may see players including Craig Mackail-Smith head for the exit door. Ferguson achieved back-to-back promotions during his first stint as Peterborough and, although he was later relieved of his duties, he returned to the helm in January. The club is on the up again and few would bet against Ferguson steering them to a third promotion.
MK Dons cannot be taken lightly as they have reached the play-offs on merit after a fantastic season but it could just take one player – Mackail-Smith – to make the difference in this one. A few months ago Mackail-Smith, who finished the regular season with 27 goals, was subject of a failed bid from Norwich. Whether he goes or Posh can somehow keep him by earning promotion, his goals are going to be key in this tie.
PREDICTION
MK Dons to claim a narrow 1-0 lead in the first leg, but I believe Darren Ferguson’s men will come good at London Road with a 4-2 victory. I am predicting Mackail-Smith to get at least two of those goals as Posh earn their place in the final.
LEAGUE ONE PLAY-OFF FINAL
Before the League One play-offs have even got underway I am predicting a Huddersfield Vs Peterborough final. Both sides score heaps full of goals so the final is likely to come down to which defence is more solid on the day.
Huddersfield have had by far the best season out of the four sides in the play-offs and, although anything can happen in the play-offs, I believe the Terriers will maintain their form to clinch the prize of promotion into the Championship.
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