Sunday 15 May 2016 12:46, UK
We examine the Sky Bet League One play-offs as Walsall, Millwall, Bradford and Barnsley battle it out for a place in the Championship.
Who? What? When? How?
With the help of Ian Holloway, we analyse each team's chances of promotion to the Championship.
Leg 1: Barnsley 3-0 Walsall - Saturday, May 14
Leg 2: Walsall v Barnsley - Thursday, May 19 (live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 7.30pm)
Barnsley
Final position: 6th (74 points)
Manager: Paul Heckingbottom
Recent form: WDWDDW
Season summary: "Having been tipped as potential promotion contenders at the start of the season, it was an up-and-down campaign for Barnsley.
"An eight-game losing run saw them slip into the relegation zone in November but, by the start of February, they were within five points of the play-offs. The departure of manager Lee Johnson for Bristol City threatened to disrupt the campaign, but, under caretaker boss Paul Heckingbottom, the Tykes finished strongly.
"Along with winning the Johnstone's Paint Trophy at Wembley, they only lost three times in the last three months and pipped Scunthorpe to the final play-off spot on goal difference after a 4-1 win over champions Wigan. Sam Winnall's goals have been key, with his total of 21 putting him in the top three scorers in the division. Barnsley have also never lost a play-off semi-final."
Play-off history: Winners (2006). Beaten finalists (2000).
Ollie's key man: Sam Winnall: "I've been a big admirer of his work for a while now. He's a natural goalscorer who will find the net wherever he goes."
Walsall
Final position: 3rd (84 points)
Manager: Jon Whitney
Recent form: WDLWWW
Season summary: "Having spent much of the season in and around the automatic promotion places, Walsall missed out on the final day as Burton got the point they needed at Doncaster.
"Still, the Saddlers enter the play-offs in decent form. After cruising past Port Vale 5-0 in their last fixture, they have won five of their last seven games and eight of 12 since Jon Whitney took charge in early March.
"Whitney was appointed after the surprise sacking of Sean O'Driscoll, who lasted just 16 games and left the club fourth in the league. Tom Bradshaw's 19 goals have been key for the Saddlers this season."
Play-off history: Winners (2001). Beaten semi-finalists (1993)
Ollie's key man: Romaine Sawyers: "I love this kid. He's a fantastic footballer. He starts off so many of Walsall's move from deep."
Ollie's first-leg prediction: "This has all the making of a wham, bam game! Goals galore.
"Both teams will be full of confidence. Barnsley sensationally hammered the champions last weekend while Walsall scored some absolute screamers as they dismantled Port Vale. I do feel sorry for Walsall, though - a bit like Brighton, they've had a fantastic season but just fell short despite amassing a big total of points.
"Winall has bagged 21 goals this season for Barnsley and I feel he has to be at his clinical best if Barnsley, who have had a strange yet sensational season, are to really trouble Walsall over two legs."
OLLIE PREDICTS: 2-2 (Sky Bet odds 18/1)
Leg 1: Bradford v Millwall - Sunday, May 15 (live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 12pm)
Leg 2: Millwall v Bradford - Friday, May 20 (live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 7.30pm)
Bradford
Final position: 5th (80 points)
The manager: Phil Parkinson
Recent form: WDLWWW
Season summary: "Like many of the teams in the play-offs this season, Bradford finished the campaign strongly, and it was their form in the last few months that saw them surge into the top six.
"Having been mid-table in February, the Bantams were particularly impressive at home in the final stretch, winning all their matches at Valley Parade after March 1, including beating top-six rivals Millwall and Walsall. It is the first time they have won seven in a row at home since 1968.
"No team outside the top four has reached the League One final for the past five seasons, and Bradford's defence could be key to their chances. Only Burton conceded fewer goals than the Bantams in the regular season."
Play-off history: Winners (1996, 2013).
Ollie's key man: Rory McArdle: "He's a rock at the heart of the Bradford back four and will need to play very well to stop a very exciting Millwall forward line."
Millwall
Final position: 4th (81 points)
Manager: Neil Harris
Recent form: WLWWWW
Season summary: "Millwall could be set for an immediate return to the Championship after a promising season which saw a number of youngsters seize the first-team opportunities handed to them by boss Neil Harris.
"Academy graduates Aiden O'Brien, Ben Thompson and Fred Onyedinma have come to the fore and have been supported by impressive campaigns from goalkeeper Jordan Archer - Millwall's player of the season - full-back Mahlon Romeo and winger Shane Ferguson, who converted his loan deal from Newcastle into a permanent move in January.
"However, it will be strike duo Steve Morison and Lee Gregory who will be of most concern to play-off opponents Bradford. The pair have scored 43 goals between them in all competitions this season.
"The play-offs seemed a long way off for Millwall at the end of August, when they'd taken just four points from the first 15 available and languished in 19th spot. However, steady progress under Harris - in his first full season in management - saw the Lions climb the table and, despite a run of five defeats in seven from the end of November, a strong second half to the season saw them fall just four points short of automatic promotion."
Play-off history: Winners (2010). Beaten semi-finalists (1991, 1994, 2000, 2002). Beaten finalists (2009).
Ollie's key man: Steve Morison: "He's one of their own and he'll be desperate to play a huge role to get them back up."
Ollie's first-leg prediction: "I fancy Millwall strongly to win the play-offs.
"Neil Harris is leading a fresh young team into a new era and he's done a brilliant job. They probably could've done with avoiding Bradford in the play-offs as they're a dangerous outfit at Valley Parade and have only conceded one goal there in the last seven games.
"However, over two legs Millwall should have enough firepower in Lee Gregory and Steve Morison to get the job done. A draw here would be a great result for the Lions."
OLLIE PREDICTS: 1-1 (Sky Bet odds 6/1)
Watch all the League One play-offs live on Sky Sports.
