Nick Hext bids to make it six winning EFL play-off tips in a row when Blackpool meet Exeter in the Sky Bet League Two final at Wembley on Sunday.
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Blackpool v Exeter City (1500 BST, Sky Sports 1)
The Sky Bet League Two play-offs have been all about goals so far and I’m confident the most entertaining of the Wembley finals will be the clash between Blackpool and Exeter on Sunday afternoon.
The meeting of the Seasiders and Grecians is the one I expected would end the season in the fourth tier as Luton, the favourites before the play-offs began, were always worth opposing.
Both semi-final ties were decided by goals netted deep into injury time in the second legs and it’s definitely been the attacking talent that has taken centre stage so far in these play-offs.
I backed Exeter striker Ollie Watkins to score in the return game of the semi-final at home to Carlisle and the 21-year-old duly obliged with the first couple of goals in the Grecians’ 3-2 win at St James' Park.
This should be Watkins’ last game for Exeter. His name is a constant feature in the gossip columns as Sky Bet Championship quartet Aston Villa, Bristol City, Derby County and Leeds United are all linked with completing a deal this summer.
Blackpool are more than aware of the threat that Watkins poses but, like Exeter, they managed to concede five goals across their two semi-final matches so the forward should be confident of netting once again.
Watkins is available at the top of the anytime goalscorer odds at close to 2/1 and I’m more than happy to show support again for one of League Two’s top attacking talents.
Exeter are slight favourites to win promotion to League One and I agree with the prices offered by the bookies.
My only concern is the Grecians twice letting a two-goal lead slip during their semi-final success against Carlisle. They just can’t afford to be as careless with an advantage against Blackpool.
I reckon there will be goals in this game as the road to the final has promised and backing Watkins is my best way to enjoy the afternoon.
Prediction: Blackpool 1-2 Exeter
Opta facts:
Blackpool have won five of their last eight matches against Exeter (D1 L2), all in league competition.
In all competitions, Exeter have won just three of their last 14 matches against the Tangerines (D4 L7) and failed to beat them in either game in League Two this season (D1 L1).
The Grecians have kept just one clean sheet in their last 19 matches, a 3-0 win over Cheltenham in March.
This is Blackpool’s seventh play-off final, more than any other team; indeed, no side has won more than the Tangerines (4, level with Crystal Palace).
Exeter are participating in their first Football League play-off final, becoming the 80th different side to do so since their inception in 1987.
In four of the last seven seasons, the side finishing seventh (Blackpool) in League Two has won promotion – Dagenham & Redbridge in 2010, Crewe Alexandra in 2012, Bradford City in 2013 and Wimbledon last season.
However, the side finishing fifth (Exeter) has won promotion just four times in the previous 30 seasons of the fourth-tier play-offs – Peterborough United in 2000, Cheltenham Town in 2006, Gillingham in 2009 and Southend United in 2015.
Mark Cullen has had a hand in 13 goals in his last 14 games for Blackpool (nine goals, four assists), including five over the two legs of the play-off semi-finals (three goals, two assists).
Posted at 2115 BST on 25/05/17.
