Live On Skysports 1: Mon 15:00: Swansea and Reading contest the Championship play-off final and it’s 19/4 with Sportingbet to go to penalties.
The Champions League final will undoubtedly be the biggest clash of the Bank Holiday weekend in terms of viewing figures but in terms of one-off rewards the actual ‘prize money’ available to the winner of Monday’s Championship play-off final is ultimately substantially greater than the nine millions Euros Manchester United or Barcelona will receive for victory on Saturday.
It’s Swansea and Reading that go head-to-head for a share of the Premiership’s riches and it’s hard to separate the pair, Paddy Power rating both at 5/6 to gain promotion. A few other firms believe the Jacks to be slight favourites but chalk them up as 7/4 outsiders in 90 minutes, while Stan James post identical odds against a Royals success in normal time.
In the circumstances, with two evenly matched teams, this could be a tie that goes all the way and Totesport’s 23/10 for the contest to be inconclusive after 90 minutes undoubtedly catches the eye. Subsequently, it might be worth considering a small flutter on the match to go to penalties at 19/4 with Sportingbet. From there it’s obviously 50-50 but punters with a preference can back either team at 11/1 () to triumph from the spot.
Swansea striker Stephen Dobbie has hit a rich vein of form of late, firing four goals in his last four games and that sequence is all the more impressive given that he was unfortunately substituted after a couple of minutes in one of those matches after Jacks defender Neil Taylor received his marching orders in the opening exchanges.
Dobbie has to be considered a threat at Wembley then and could attract cash at 7/1 with Coral to break the deadlock, although Skybet’s 12/5 for the Scot to notch at any time is arguably the better bet.
With so much at stake meanwhile, a tense, nervy opening is likely as the two teams look to avoid early disasters. Subsequently the opening goal could take a while to arrive and Paddy Power make it evens to be struck after the 26th minute.
Recommended Bets:
Match to go to penalties – 19/4 (Sportingbet)
Stephen Dobbie to score at any time – 12/5 (Skybet)
First goal to be scored after 26th minute – evens (Paddy Power)
Compare all Championship odds and bet at the best price.
