On 29 May 2023, Coventry will face off with Luton in the Championship play-off final to decide who earns promotion to the English Premier League. To help you navigate the betting landscape for the match, we’ve analyzed the latest odds and picked out three best bets to consider.
First up, we recommend wagering 2.5 points on Both Teams to Score ‘No’ at a price of 20/23 with Betfair Sportsbook. Historically, goals are hard to come by in Championship play-off finals, which explains why this bet has hit in nine of the last ten such contests. We also second the option of placing 1 point on No First Goalscorer, offered at 8/1 by Bet365. This outcome is essentially the same as betting on a 0-0 scoreline but covers any instances of own goals being scored, as was the case in the Championship play-off final just the previous year. Finally, we recommend placing 0.5 points on both Hamer and Nakamba to be carded at the more adventurous price of 11/1, also with Bet365.
This year’s play-off final sees Coventry and Luton, both former fourth-tier clubs, meet once again with a shot at promotion on the line. Coventry will hope for a strong performance from Hamer, who scored the crucial goal against Middlesbrough that clinched their spot in the final. Meanwhile, Luton’s Aston Villa loanee, Nakamba, has been instrumental in the team’s success since making his debut in February. If the Hatters are to upset the odds, they’ll need him to continue playing at his high level.
Luton boss Rob Edwards could opt for a pragmatic strategy with a focus on containment, given his side struggled on the large pitch at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light in the semi-finals, where they barely scored one goal per game across the season. This fact, combined with Coventry’s limited xGD advantage over Middlesbrough, suggests the game may feature few goals. By backing Both Teams to Score ‘No,’ you’ll give yourself a good chance of coming out ahead.
All in all, the Championship play-off final promises to be a hard-fought encounter, with both sides well aware of the opportunity on offer. If you’re planning on betting on the match, be sure to do so with a focus on safer gambling, betting only what you can afford to lose. As always, if you’re struggling with gambling difficulties, reach out to one of the organizations mentioned above for help.
