Play-off Predictions

CHAMPIONSHIP PLAY-OFFS
It is that time of year again as 12 teams battle it out for promotion across the three Football League divisions. There are some cracking ties set to be played, particularly in the Championship, as fans of Premier League clubs get to find out who will be joining QPR and Norwich in the top flight next season. For the teams involved in the play-offs it is the chance to extend the season by a few weeks and for three sides the prize of promotion awaits, so there is no margin for error.

NOTTINGHAM FOREST VS SWANSEA
Nottingham Forest are no strangers to the play-offs, having been knocked out by eventual winners Blackpool in last year's semi-finals. The Reds ended the season in magnificent form, winning five of their last six matches, and Billy Davies' men only lost two home league games all season. Last time the two sides met at the City Ground, Forest claimed a 3-1 win, and home advantage should hold them in good stead for this pulsating tie.

But Swansea also have a formidable record at home, having suffered just three league defeats at the Liberty Stadium this season. The Swans claimed a 3-2 home win over Forest back in March and will be a tough nut to crack in their own back yard.

Forest have to make sure they make home advantage count in the first leg because, any slip-ups by the Reds, would leave the Swans feeling very confident ahead of the second leg in Wales.

PREDICTION
Forest to win the first leg 2-1 before the Swans even the tie by claiming the same score, but this time in their favour, at the Liberty Stadium. I feel this tie will be decided by either extra time or penalties and am predicting the Swans to come out on top...just!

READING VS CARDIFF
At several stages in the season Cardiff had looked strong contenders for automatic promotion. But a shock 3-0 home defeat by Middlesbrough and a 1-1 draw at Burnley saw the Bluebirds end the regular season in disappointing form and having to settle for a fourth-place finish. In contrast, Reading ended the season on a high with a 2-1 win over Derby at the Madejski Stadium and are one of the division's highest scorers - only Leeds and Norwich netted more than the Royals' 77 goals.

Both games between these two sides have ended in draws this season and more close battles can be expected as they battle it out for a place in the Championship play-off final. Cardiff boast a forward trio of Jay Bothroyd, Michael Chopra and Craig Bellamy and are likely to pose a lot of threat in attack. Dave Jones' side suffered heartache in last season's play-off final and will be looking to use that experience to help them avoid a repeat this time around. But Cardiff's defence will have to be on their toes because Reading's Shane Long netted 21 league goals to end the regular season as the Championship's joint-second top scorer.

PREDICTION
It is going to be another close battle but I believe Reading can make home advantage count more than their opponents. I am predicting the Royals to claim a 3-1 home victory in the first leg. Cardiff can bounce back with a 2-1 victory in the second leg but, unfortunately for Jones' men, that would see them defeated 4-3 on aggregate by Brian McDermott's side.

CHAMPIONSHIP PLAY-OFF FINAL
So before the play-offs have even got underway I am predicting a Swansea Vs Reading final. The ties are too tough to call so anything can happen and I won't be surprised whether the predictions end up being spot on or way off as anything could happen.

I believe Swansea are going to go all the way and clinch the prize of Premier League promotion, but let's wait and see how it all unfolds.

LEAGUE ONE AND TWO PLAY-OFF PREDICTIONS TO FOLLOW BEFORE THE WEEKEND!