England League Two - Play-off Final
Saturday 25th May 2019
Kick off at 3pm BST
Venue: Wembley Stadium
Match Preview:
Newport and Tranmere will contest in the League 2 play-off final at Wembley Stadium to see which one of them will be joining already promoted Lincoln, Bury, and MK Dons in League 1 next season.
In the league there was almost nothing between the clubs with Newport finishing in 7th on 71 points and Tranmere in 6th on 73 points, with both teams relying heavily on home form for their final League positions. Neither team will have the luxury of home advantage in this match, and Tranmere have been installed as the slight favourites. Possibly as a result of Tranmere's marginally superior away record, however Newport are the form side, going undefeated in their last 10 league games, and therefore the betting on this game is very open.
In the play-off semi-finals Newport beat Mansfield Town in a very close game over 2 legs, with the first match at Newport ending 1-1 and the second match 0-0. With away goals not counting the game went to extra time and then penalties which Newport eventually won 5-3, showing they have the mental strength for tough situations.
Tranmere had to overcome Forest Green to get here, with Tranmere using their first leg home advantage to earn a 1-0 win, before getting a 1-1 draw away from home to win 2-1 on aggregate.
Team News:
Newport: Newport have no new injury concerns ahead of the final play off match
Tranmere: The club have long term injuries to the likes of Luke McCullough and Evan Gumbs but like Newport they have no new injuries coming into this game
Newport vs Tranmere Head to Head:
The last time the teams met was only in April, when at Newport, the match ended 0-0.
From the last 4 games there has been 3 draws.
The teams have hardly played each other throughout the years because of that Tranmere have not beaten Newport since 1988.
There is a 100% record to see under 2.5 goals which stretches back to 1988.
Newport vs Tranmere Prediction:
What is interesting is that 8 of the 11 players that could take the field for Newport at Wembley Stadium have had that experience before and played at the famous stadium. Also Tranmere do not have a good record over Newport, though most matches have ended in draws. However, if this game was to go to extra time and penalties we have already seen Newport deal with that in the semi-finals. When the going gets tough, perhaps Newport have a little more experience in that field, though this game should be close.
Newport are an excellent price to win the game, but as that comes with a risk given that this could go to extra time and the win is for 90 minutes only, we will cover the draw by going for a 0.0 asian handicap. Newport have extra motivation too. If they return to League 1 it will be for the first time since 1987.
Newport vs Tranmere Betting Tips:
Asian handicap (0.0 Newport) at 2.025
Half Time correct score 0-0 at 2.25
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