EFL Play-Offs Betting Guide: All You Need To Know

The end of the football season is almost upon us and as ever it’s reaching its dramatic climax with the Play-Offs in English Football. The Championship, League One and League Two are really hotting up with a number of teams having to settle on a Play-Off place to seal promotion. With the EFL Play-Offs looming, here’s our complete guide to betting on the Football League’s final few weeks alongside the favourites to earn promotion.

How The Play-Offs Work 

Betting on the Play-Offs is always exciting, but to do so you’re probably going to need to understand how they work.

In the Championship and League One, three teams are promoted. The top two placed teams are automatically promoted, with four teams, placed 3 to 6, battling out in a Semi Final and Final to earn the final spot.

In League Two the same applies, but four teams are promoted, the top three automatically, and one final team via the same format.

Which Bookmakers Offer Play-Off Betting? 

Practically all of the UK’s best bookmakers will offer odds on promotion and the Play-Offs across the three divisions.

The likes of Ladbrokes and bet365 have developed large markets for it, while BetVictor are also popular amongst fans.

You will find Play-Off markets with most bookmakers however, so it’s worth shopping around to find the best value and the best free bets and promotions to combine your Play-Off odds with.

Championship Play-Offs 

The Championship Play-Offs are among the biggest set of fixtures in English football, as they ultimately lead one team through to the Premier League .

It’s often referred to as having the biggest prize in football and betting on the Championship is huge.

The Championship Play-Offs take place throughout May and it’s all set to be an exciting one.

The race for automatic promotion has been a three way tie, which will see one of those fall short, while a number of clubs could just sneak in at the bottom end, which are the sides most need to worry about.

Play-Off Schedule

The schedule for the Championship Play-Offs are as follows:

Semi Finals

Saturday May 11, 2019:

• 12.30pm: Championship A First Leg
• 5.15pm: Championship B First Leg

Tuesday May 14, 2019:

• 7.45pm: Championship A Second Leg

Wednesday May 15, 2019:

• 7.45pm: Championship B Second Leg

Play-Off Final

Monday May 27, 2019:

• 3pm: Championship Final

Current Championship Favourites For Promotion

Norwich City are all but confirmed promotion to the Premier League in the automatic slots, with Sheffield United likely to join them, with William Hill currently pricing them at 1/33 for promotion.

Among those likely to seek promotion through the Play-Offs, the odds from Betway are as follows:

Leeds - 7/4

Aston Villa - 2/1

West Brom - 11/4

Derby - 13/2

Bristol City - 14/1

Middlesbrough - 20/1

League One Play-Offs 

It’s still all to play for in League One too, with a number of sides still fighting for both automatic spots and Play-Off qualification.

Luton are currently in the driving seat, having come back through the leagues after a spell in the National League.

It will be a remarkable feat for them to reach the Championship, and they’ll be looking to do so without the need of three extra fixtures.

The League One Play-Odds are always good value for a wager, and this season will undoubtedly be no different as some huge names play off for a place back in the second tier of English football.

Play-Off Schedule

The schedule for the League One Play-Offs are as follows:

Semi Finals

Saturday May 11, 2019:

• 7.30pm: League One A First Leg

Sunday May 12, 2019:

• 12.15pm: League One B First Leg

Thursday May 16, 2019:

• 7.45pm: League One A Second Leg

Friday May 17, 2019:

• 7.45pm: League One B Second Leg

Final

Sunday May 26, 2019:

• 3pm: League One Final

Current League One Favourites For Promotion

Luton Town have almost guaranteed themselves an automatic promotion spot and are 1/100 to go up with 888sport, while the popular bookmaker are also favouring Barnsley to bounce straight back up at 2/5 although Portsmouth are hot on their heels in terms of points.

The current favourites for promotion, who can still do so via the Play-Offs are:

Barnsley - 2/5  

Portsmouth - 4/5  

Sunderland - 6/5

Charlton Athletic - 7/2

Doncaster Rovers - 9/2

Peterborough United - 50/1

Coventry City - 100/1

League Two Play-Offs 

League Two sees four teams promoted to League One. Lincoln City have already secured their place as Champions, with the final two automatic sports currently available to five teams.

Bury and Mansfield are looking most likely, while MK Dons also have a brilliant chance.

The opportunity to reach the Play-Offs is still up for grabs for a number of clubs, which has made for an even more intense betting market as the end of season approaches.

Who will prevail? It really is wide open!

Play-Off Schedule

The schedule for the League Two Play-Offs are as follows:

Semi Finals

Thursday May 9, 2019:

• 7.45pm: League Two A First Leg

Friday May 10, 2019:

• 7.45pm: League Two B First Leg

Sunday May 12, 2019:

• 6pm: League Two A Second Leg

Monday May 13, 2019:

• 7.45pm: League Two B Second Leg

Final

Saturday May 25, 2019:

• 3pm: League Two Final

Current League Two Favourites For Promotion

Lincoln have already claimed the first automatic spot, with Danny Cowley’s men running away with the League Two title.

Bury and Mansfield join the Imps as the two favourites to seal automatic promotion but either two could also end up in the Play-Offs.

Redbet are currently offering odds of League Two promotion as follows:

Bury - 1/10

Mansfield Town - 3/10

MK Dons - 2/5  

Forest Green Rovers - 9/4

Tranmere Rovers - 5/2

Exeter City - 11/1

Newport County - 14/1

Carlisle United - 25/1

Colchester United - 25/1

Oldham Athletic - 50/1

Stevenage - 66/1