League One play-offs - Preview and Predictions

Hull City and Peterborough United are already promoted to the Championship while Blackpool, Sunderland, Lincoln City and Oxford United will do battle for the third tier two spot.

The play-offs are scheduled to take place as follows:

Form

Blackpool finished the season with the joint best points per game ratio, claiming 12 points from the last five games while scoring 7 goals and conceding just 1 goal.
Of the four play-off teams, the Seasiders display one of the healthiest shots data going into the final games of the season.
Looking at the four most recent games, Blackpool have created on average 6.75 shots on target per game - the second-best attacking numbers in the league right now. In the same stretch of games, the Lancashire club have conceded on average 2.75 shots on target per game - the second-best defensive numbers in the league in recent weeks. In fact, Blackpool have the second-best shots on target difference in League One right now.

Sunderland have picked up a mediocre 6 points from the last five games while scoring 9 goals and conceding 8 goals.
However, the Black Cats display the best shots data of the Championship hopefuls in the last couple of weeks.
Looking at the four most recent games, Sunderland have created on average 7.00 shots on target per game - the best attacking numbers in the league right now. In the four most recent games, the Tyne and Wear club have conceded on average 2.75 shots on target per - the second-best defensive numbers in the league in recent weeks. All in all, Sunderland have the best shots on target differences in the League One of late.

Lincoln City have collected 5 points from the five most recent games, scoring 6 goals and conceding 8 goals.
The Imps display the joint worst shots data of the four play-off teams in the last couple of weeks.
Looking at the four most recent games, Lincoln have created on average 4.50 shots on target per game - near the league average right now. In the four most recent games, the East Midlands outfit have conceded on average 4.00 shots on target per game which is marginally below the league average in recent weeks. All in all, Lincoln have a slightly positive shots on target difference in recent weeks.

Oxford United finished the season with the joint best points per game ratio, claiming 12 points from the last five games while scoring 14 goals and conceding 7 goal. However, that include 9 points against on-the-beach Plymouth Argyle, Shrewsbury Town and Burton Albion.
The Yellows have produced decent enough shots data during the run-in, mostly against out-of-form opposition.
Looking at the four most recent games, Oxford have created on average 5.50 shots on target per game - one of the best attacking numbers in the league right now. In the four most recent games, the Oxfordshire team have conceded on average 3.50 shots on target per game which is below the league average in recent weeks. All in all, Oxford have the one of the best shots on target differences in League One of late.

Track record against Top 6

With the regular season done and dusted, how did the four promotion hopefuls do against fellow top 6 teams?

Blackpool have picked up the most points in the mini top 6 league, also producing a positive goal difference. Blackpool display the second-best shots on target data against top 6 opposition, the Seasiders looking particularly solid on the road.

Sunderland have picked up the second most points in the mini top 6 round-robin and display the best shots on target data. The Black Cats are the only side of the promotion hopefuls that have a positive shots on target difference against top 6 both home and away.

Lincoln City display a decent enough points tally against top 6 opposition but the Imps do have a pretty terrible shots on target record, especially at home.

Oxford United have amassed the fewest points against top 6 opposition and also produce the second worst shots on target data. Most worryingly, the U's home advantage almost seems like a disadvantage when facing promotion rivals.

Check out the League One table, upcoming fixtures and lots of other stats here!

Conclusion & Betting Tips

Blackpool and Sunderland are favourites to win promotion and rightly so. Both of them produce strong numbers against top 6 opposition and both of them go into the play-offs in great form.
Lincoln and Oxford on the other hand produce rather weak numbers against top 6 opposition and even though Oxford seem to be in good form they've had by far the easiest run-in.
Betting Tip: To Qualify for Play-off Final: Blackpool.
Stake at 5/10 units.

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