David Prutton's EFL play-off predictions: Sheffield Wednesday to reach Wembley
Wednesday 17 May 2017 10:02, UK
David Prutton returns with his Sky Bet EFL play-off predictions across the Championship and League Two.
Reading saw off Fulham to book their place at Wembley but will Huddersfield or Sheffield Wednesday join them and who will prevail in the League Two tussles?
Who's Prutton tipping? Let's find out...
Sheffield Wednesday (0) v (0) Huddersfield (Championship, Wednesday from 7.30pm, live on Sky Sports 3)
The first leg was a very cagey affair. Sheffield Wednesday allowed Huddersfield to dominate the ball and there was a feeling from Carlos Carvalhal and his side that getting the tie back to Hillsborough at 0-0 means it's very much advantage them. However, it feels like one of those games, even though there's a lot of firepower on display, that could go all the way to penalties.
It's a tough one - a real toss of a coin as to who goes through. With Wednesday at home there may be a slight tactical change from them as they look to get on the front foot but Huddersfield are solid defensively.
This one's going all the way to penalties. Now you want me to tell you who is going to win on penalties? Home advantage will play a part - Wednesday to win on penalties.
PRUTTON PREDICTS: 1-1 - Sheffield Wednesday to win on penalties (Sky Bet odds: 9/2)
Exeter (3) v (3) Carlisle (League Two, Thursday from 7.40pm, live on Sky Sports 2 - Red Button)
At one point Carlisle looked dead and buried but fair play to them for pulling it back. I do think the 700-mile trip to Exeter will play a part.
Exeter also put in a very good performance and with home advantage they will be difficult to beat. Am I going to go with a more cagey second leg? No, there will be more goal with Exeter coming out on top.
PRUTTON PREDICTS: 2-1 - Exeter win 5-4 on aggregate (Sky Bet odds: 15/2)
Luton (2) v (3) Blackpool (League Two, Thursday from 7.30pm, live on Sky Sports 2)
There's a lot of stuff going on around Blackpool at the moment and while they were never going to get a full house at Bloomfield Road, the football was worthy of a sell-out crowd.
I get the feeling that Luton will learn from their mistakes of the first leg. Their defending at set pieces was very questionable and they will look to tighten that up. However, you cannot write off Blackpool. They have the momentum after gate-crashing the play-offs on the final day of the season.
This one is also going to extra-time. Luton will win 1-0 to take us into the extra 30 minutes and this tie will go all the way to penalties with the Hatters squeezing through to Wembley.
PRUTTON PREDICTS: 1-0 - Luton to win on penalties (Sky Bet odds: 7/1)
Reading (1) v (1) Fulham (Sky Bet Championship, Tuesday)
Reading were fantastic at Craven Cottage. They didn't let Fulham play their natural game but with the attacking talent Slavisa Jokanovic has at his disposal, I get the feeling they won't be shackled again.
I'm sure this will be a more open game. From the Fulham point of view we expect a lot of them offensively. They've got good players all the way through their ranks with Chris Martin and Tom Cairney.
This one feels like it will be settled in normal time and I'm leaning more towards the visitors.
PRUTTON PREDICTS: 0-1 - Fulham win 2-1 on aggregate - RESULT: 1-0 - Reading win 2-1 on aggregate
