Our tip Ciro Immobile failed to find the net despite Lazio drawing 3-3 with Bologna on Monday night. This weekend it’s all about the English Football League playoff finals, along with major cup finals in Scotland, Spain and Germany.
Running total: -£69.70
The Banker
Often referred to as “the richest game in football,” Aston Villa and Derby County battle it out on Bank Holiday Monday for a place in the Premier League. Villa lost 1-0 in the playoff final to Fulham last season but look a more robust outfit this time round and are worth a punt at 5/4. Dean Smith’s side are in good form having lost two just of their last 15 matches. Frank Lampard has done a great job at Derby of course, taking them to Wembley in his first season. Their semifinal second-leg victory over Leeds was truly special so they can’t be written off, but Villa look to be holding all the aces here. They beat Derby home and away this season and have some real talent in their ranks. Jack Grealish has been brilliant for them, so look for him to pull the strings at Wembley and Villa to finally bounce back to the top flight after a three-year hiatus.
Selection: £4 on Aston Villa to win at 5/4 with bet365.
The First Goal Flutter
The bookies make Charlton slight favourites to beat Sunderland in the League One playoff final and that looks about right. Lyle Taylor has been an absolute machine for the Addicks, hitting 25 goals this season and scoring six in his last six matches. Sunderland won’t roll over at Wembley but Taylor — who could have joined the Black Cats last summer — looks a juicy price at 4/1 to score first.
Selection: £2 on Taylor to score first at 4/1 with bet365.
The Tasty Treble
Sunderland’s record at Wembley is poor and this season’s League One draw specialists look up against it on Sunday. Charlton took an impressive 18 points off teams in the top six and after finishing the season in style look a bet at 2/1 to win on Sunday. Newport and Tranmere contest the League Two final on Saturday and the Exiles are worth a bet at 2/1 after finishing their regular campaign unbeaten in their last 10 matches. Their defence has been superb this year and it’s worth noting that Rovers failed to score in both league meetings with Newport. Add in Aston Villa at 5/4 for a playoff treble paying almost 20/1 with bet365.
Selection: £4 on the treble at 19.25/1 with bet365.
The Euro Wager
Barcelona have dominated the Copa del Rey in recent years and should be trusted to see off Valencia in Saturday’s final. The Blaugrana drew both league games with Valencia this season but should be primed for this and they can justify 1/2 favouritism at the Estadio Benito Villamarin. Bayern Munich are the same price to see off Leipzig in the DFB Pokal final and the Bavarian giants are unbeaten since losing to Liverpool at home on March 13. The Barcelona-Bayern double is a 5/4 chance with bet365 and looks solid.
Selection: £4 on Barcelona-Bayern Munich double at 5/4 with bet365.
The Wildcard Tip
Celtic and Hearts contest the Scottish Cup final at Hampden on Saturday with the Hoops eyeing up a historic “treble treble.” The teams met last weekend in the final game of the SPL season with Celtic winning 2-1. However Neil Lennon’s men have yet to concede a goal in the Scottish Cup so backing a 3-0 Celtic victory might be the way to go.
Selection: £1 on Celtic to win 3-0 at 7/1 with bet365.