Football 
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Horse Racing Jimmy’s Punt: May 27th-29th - 570.00 Long Shot Trixie this Weekend
Jimmy’s Punt: May 27th – 29th
We nearly won big with the goalkeeper card trixie last weekend, and when I say nearly, it looked possible for about 10 minutes.
In the time between Emi Martinez’s card and Roberto Firmino’s equaliser at Anfield, I was thinking about what to spend the winnings on.
Liverpool 1-1 Aston Villa ended any hope of a return, so, it was all hypothetical, but Nottingham Forest’s early goal against Arsenal in the evening kick off would have set us up for a dream finish.
This weekend’s punt, the final of the season, comes via the playoff finals. I am having a point across the three bets as a trixie.
In this article:
- Coventry vs Luton Preview & Best Bet
- Barnsley vs Sheffield Wednesday Preview & Best Bet
- Carlisle vs Stockport Preview & Best Bet
- Jimmy’s Punt Odds
Coventry vs Luton Preview
England, Championship Playoff Final, Saturday, May 27th, 16:45 (UK)
Playoff weekend is the pinnacle of the domestic calendar and the Championship clash offers the highest reward, hence the richest game in football.
A cash injection is not the only thing at stake but the pedigree of the top division with trips to Anfield, Old Trafford and St James’ Park on the schedule for next campaign, alongside a spot on Match of the Day.
There is a touch of nostalgia to this fixture and an air of romance with whomever gets the final spot up for grabs in the EPL. Just six years ago, these sides met in League Two and neither has graced the top division for 30 years.
It is an intriguing battle tactically as well.
Coventry are one-dimensional in the sense their success revolves around two players; midfield maestro Gus Hamer and talisman Viktor Gyokeres. Stop them and you stop the Blue Birds.
Mark Robins’ side do not cope well with a high press either which, unfortunately for them, is an asset of Luton’s.
It will take a lot of endeavour to maintain the intensity they hit at the Kenny against Sunderland on the specious Wembley pitch, and will not be sustainable for the 90.
Nothing split these sides domestically, and with the hallowed turf the leveller, there could be nothing between these sides.
Coventry vs Luton Best Bet
First things first, I am siding with zero goals, and that has clicked in four of the last 10 Championship playoff finals, with a further three featuring just one goal.
Instead of backing under 0.5 goals or the 0-0 correct score though, the bet is ‘No First Goalscorer’ as it also covers us if the only goal of the game is an own goal.
This was the case last season, when Levi Colwill scored the only goal of Nottingham Forest’s victory over Huddersfield, one of four matches in which this bet has landed over the last 10 seasons.
- Selection: No First Goalscorer (TRACKED BET)
- Best Odds: 9.00 (bet365)
- Stakes: 10/10
Barnsley vs Sheffield Wednesday Preview
England, League One Playoff Final, Monday, May 29th, 15:00 (UK)
A South Yorkshire derby and a spot in the Championship awaits the winner.
The League One playoff final looks like a cracker.
Do not let the puny 16/1 about Sheffield Wednesday qualification cloud your judgement, the Owls had no right to turn their semi-final with Peterborough around.
Darren Moore’s side were four goals down at the halfway stage, yet pulled off the impossible, in the most dramatic of fashion, to force the game into extra time.
Liam Palmer bundled home the fourth in 90+8th minute of stoppage time. Wednesday then had to draw themselves level again in ET, before eventually winning on penalties.
Moore’s side racked up enough points (96) to finish as champions in half of the last 10 League One seasons.
Questions were asked of the side’s resolve after the first leg. And niggling doubts may remain after they ultimately fell short in an incredibly competitive title race.
Barnsley vs Sheffield Wednesday Best Bet
Barnsley edged this contest domestically. The Reds were the only League One side to win at Hillsborough this season and thumped the Owls at Oakwell, 6-2 the aggregate score across the two games.
The magnitude of the occasion will play a role here and could lend itself to a cagey affair.
Wednesday play territorial football, Barnsley rely on a high press. Two tactical approaches that may come unstuck in the big smoke.
If there is not an early goal, I could see this game going the distance.
- Selection: No First Goalscorer
- Best Odds: 8.50 (bet365)
- Stakes: 5/10
More Barnsley vs Sheffield Wednesday Tips
Carlisle vs Stockport Preview
England, League Two Playoff Final, Monday, May 28th, 13:30 (UK)
Before a ball was kicked, Stockport were the favourites for League Two promotion via the playoffs. However, they were hardly convincing across two legs against Salford.
Injuries blighted Dave Challinor in the first leg. He was forced to set his side out in a low block, and a rudderless performance followed.
The return to fitness of Paddy Madden bolstered his side ahead of the second but it took penalties to ensure a seventh promotion in 13 seasons in management remains on the cards for County’s supremo.
Antoni Sarcevic scored the decisive penalty and left Salford rueing chances missed.
It was the visitors who looked the likelier winners with frontman Matt Smith squandering two great headed chances.
At 8/11, County remain the clear favourites to progress in the final but that must be based on pedigree and not the semi final performance.
Carlisle vs Stockport Best Bet
You guessed it. No first goalscorer again here.
If recent history is anything to go by this is a runner as 30% of the last 10 League Two playoff finals have ended goalless.
Each side only scored a goal across the semis, not like that counts for anything, but the nature of the sides’ respective games will have instilled some fear ahead of the final.
Both went into the second leg a goal down and finished three points and a place apart in the season. Tentative approaches could be popular.
- Selection: No first Goalscorer
- Best Odds: 7.50 (bet365)
- Stakes: 5/10
Odds as at 16:00 on May 24th 2023. Odds may now differ.
More Carlisle vs Stockport Tips
Jimmy’s Punt Odds
- Coventry v Luton – No First Goalscorer
- Barnsley v Sheffield Wednesday – No First Goalscorer
- Carlisle v Stockport – No First Goalscorer
Acca Odds: 573.75
Odds via bet365 as at 16:00 on May 24th 2023. Odds may now differ.
