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Play-off glory for Sheffield Wednesday, Millwall and AFC Wimbledon, predicts Ian Holloway

Ian Holloway

In his last prediction column of the season, Ian Holloway runs the rule over the three Football League play-off finals - all live on Sky Sports.

Hull and Sheffield Wednesday face off for a place in the Premier League in Saturday's Championship showdown, while the League One final pits Barnsley and Millwall on Sunday and Monday's League Two finale see Plymouth take on AFC Wimbledon.

Championship

Hull City v Sheffield Wednesday (Saturday from 4.00pm, Sky Sports 1HD)

Sheffield Wednesday players celebrate after the Sky Bet Championship Play Off semi final at Brighton
Image: Sheffield Wednesday celebrated wildly in front of their fans after an aggregate win over Brighton

Will it be the experience and strength in depth that Hull City have in abundance that will shine on the day or will it be the surprise package in Sheffield Wednesday, who have a little bit more flair about them? I can't wait to find out. It's going to be a fascinating game. 

I believe Hull could beat any Premier League side on their day. However, the only thing consistent about them is their inconsistency. They demolished Derby in the first leg and then wobbled badly in the second leg and scraped over the line.

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Curtis Davies is hoping Hull's previous Wembley experience will help with their Championship play-off final with Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday

Sheffield Wednesday will look to play quick pass-and-move attacking football - is that the right way to unlock Steve Bruce's defence? That back four is exceptional. 

There's more than enough quality on both teams to turn a game with one bit of skill - Robert Snodgrass, Ross Wallace, Fernando Forresteri and Abel Hernandez to name just a few.

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Highlights of the Sky Bet Championship play-off semi-final second leg between Brighton and Sheffield Wednesday

However, I've just got a sneaky feeling Wednesday, who believe they're on the way back, will be celebrating in the Wembley sunshine on Saturday after a dramatic extra-time victory. 

OLLIE PREDICTS: 1-1 (Sky Bet odds 6/1) with Sheffield Wednesday to win extra-time (12/1)

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League One

Millwall v Barnsley (Sunday from 2.00pm, Sky Sports 1HD)

Millwall enjoy Lee Gregory's goal
Image: Lee Gregory helped Millwall to semi-final victory over Bradford

Picking a winner here is tough. Barnsley are the most successful team this calendar year in the country while Millwall are building something special with a team that all are pulling in the same direction.

It's that spirit that makes me think Neil Harris and his boys will get the job done on Sunday. They started the season slowly but grew as the year went on and are peaking at just the right time.

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Highlights of the Sky Bet League One playoff semi-final second leg between Walsall and Barnsley

The front two of Lee Gregory, whom I fancy to score first, and Steve Morison are among the best around as a duo. They've got one of their own in charge and a few of their own on the pitch. That makes a huge difference when you're looking for that extra bit of edge in a final. 

OLLIE PREDICTS: 2-1 to Millwall in 90 minutes (Sky Bet odds 7/1)

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League Two

Plymouth v AFC Wimbledon (Monday from 2.00pm, Sky Sports 1HD)

Lyle Taylor of AFC Wimbledon celebrates
Image: Lyle Taylor was a key man in AFC Wimbledon's success

My heart is telling me to go for Plymouth but my head is saying AFC Wimbledon.

I'd love to see the Green Army do it - the sight of 30,000 of them coming up the M4 will be a wonderful picture. They will have been disappointed not to have got automatic promotion under Derek Adams but this is a more exciting way to go up - no doubt.

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Scott Minto struggled to keep his composure after Ian Holloway cracked a joke about Adebayo Akinfenwa in his post-match analysis

However, I was taken aback by the scenes at Accrington Stanley where Wimbledon came back from the dead.

The spirit in that dressing room is phenomenal. Most teams would have crumbled falling 2-0 behind. I'd be worried if I was Plymouth as this Wimbledon team will be a tough team to knock out. I can see the Londoners winning in extra-time. 

OLLIE PREDICTS: 1-1 (Sky Bet odds 5/1) with AFC Wimbledon to win in extra-time (12/1)

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