EFL PLAY-OFF FINALS: PREDICTIONS & BEST BETS 23RD – 25TH MAY 2026 

EFL betting tipster Louie Truman has given his betting predictions for all three EFL play-off finals, which include Championship, League One and League Two. He’s also included betting odds and some of the best betting bonuses.

EFL CHAMPIONSHIP

HULL VS MIDDLESBROUGH

Hull was relegated in 1991 and 1996 before climbing back with successive promotions in 2004 and 2005. Promotion to the Premier League followed in 2008, with further returns in 2013 and 2016. After dropping to League One in 2020, Hull bounced back as champions in 2020/21.

The Tigers managed to overcome Millwall with a 2-0 win in the play-offs; Mohamed Belloumi and Joe Gelhardt found the back of the net in the second leg. Despite having just 33% possession, Hull managed to finish their chances well.

Oli McBurnie has scored 17 goals this season; McBurnie has played a major role this season. Alongside the goals, his ability to lead the line has made him key to the club’s push for promotion.

Southampton were sensationally thrown out of the 2025–26 Championship play-offs after being found guilty of spying on Middlesbrough training sessions ahead of their semi-final match. Southampton had originally progressed after winning the tie 2–1 on aggregate, with Shea Charles scoring an extra-time winner at St Mary’s, but an EFL investigation ruled the club had breached competition regulations by filming Middlesbrough preparations within 72 hours of the match. As a result, Southampton were expelled from the play-offs and handed a four-point deduction for next season, while Middlesbrough went through to the final.

Middlesbrough found the back of the net just once during the play-offs, which came through Riley McGree. Middlesbrough’s 2025/26 season started brilliantly under Rob Edwards, with Boro climbing into the automatic promotion places.

However, Edwards left mid-season to join the Wolves, which led to another managerial change. Although Boro remained in the automatic promotion race under Kim Hellberg, inconsistency saw them miss out on automatic promotion.

When looking at recent meetings between the two sides, two of their last three encounters finished 1-0. In their recent match, Hull managed to secure three points.

Betting Tip: Under 2.5 Goals – 7/10 - BetMGM

EFL LEAGUE ONE

BOLTON VS STOCKPORT

Founded in 1874, Bolton Wanderers were one of the founding members of the Football League in 1888. The club won the Second Division in 1908–09 and lifted the FA Cup four times — in 1923, 1926, 1929 and 1958.

Following relegations in 1964 and 1971, Bolton bounced back by winning the Third Division in 1972–73 and the Second Division in 1977–78. After falling to the fourth tier in 1987, they earned promotion a year later and won the Football League Trophy in 1989.

In 2019, Bolton’s future looked uncertain as the club suffered relegation from the Championship amid major financial problems. Despite a takeover, the damage had already been done, and a second successive relegation followed during the Covid-hit campaign.

Since then, Wanderers have been rebuilt under Ian Evatt. After narrowly missing out on automatic promotion in 2024 to the Championship, Bolton now have another chance to return to the Championship as they aim to overcome Stockport in the play-off final. The Wanderers managed consecutive 1-0 wins in both play-off semi-finals against Bradford; Amario Cozier-Duberry and Xavier Simons found the back of the net.

One of their biggest strengths has been their attacking play, with Bolton creating chances regularly. They have also been strong from set-pieces, using their physicality in the box.

Defensively, Wanderers have been solid at the back; their depth has allowed them to deal with injuries and maintain momentum across the season.

Founded as Heaton Norris Rovers in 1883, Stockport County adopted their current name in 1890 and have played at Edgeley Park since 1902. Nicknamed “The Hatters” due to the town’s hat-making history, the club switched to their famous blue and white colours in 1914.

Stockport joined the Football League in 1900 and spent over a century there, winning league titles in 1922, 1937 and 1967. Their most successful era came in the 1990s, reaching the second tier for five seasons and the League Cup semi-finals in 1997.

Stockport also kept back-to-back clean sheets in the semi-finals, with a 1-0 and 2-0 win over Stevenage; the goal scorers were Ben Osborn, Louie Barry and Kyle Wootton. Going forward, they’ve got brilliant quality and experience in attack, with Ben Osborn, Louie Barry and Kyle Wootton. Louie Barry had an excellent campaign for Stockport last season. During the first half of the 2024/25 season, he scored 15 goals in all competitions before being recalled by Aston Villa in January.

Betting Tip: Both Teams to Score – 4/5 - Betfred

EFL LEAGUE TWO

NOTTS COUNTY VS SALFORD

Founded in 1862, Notts County are the world’s oldest professional football club and one of the Football League’s original 12 members. The club won the FA Cup in 1894 and enjoyed several spells in the top division, most recently in 1991–92. After years of financial struggles and a drop into non-league football in 2019, Notts County returned to the Football League in 2023.

The Magpies were unable to secure a place in the automatic promotion places due to inconsistency. Martin Paterson’s side finished fifth, and they managed to overcome Chesterfield with a 1-0 win in the play-off semi-final; Jayden Luker found the back of the net.

A major turning point came for Salford in 2014 when Nicky Butt, Ryan Giggs, Gary Neville, Phil Neville and Paul Scholes took over the club alongside Singaporean businessman Peter Lim. David Beckham later acquired a 10% stake in 2019. In August 2024, Gary Neville purchased Lim’s shareholding, and on 8 May 2025, the club announced a new ownership group led by Beckham and Neville, joined by US businessman Declan Kelly and Mervyn Davies.

Salford finished just one point outside the automatic promotion places, and the Ammies are unbeaten in their last six outings. When looking at recent meetings against Notts County, Salford have an excellent record; the Magpies haven’t beaten Salford in their last five encounters.

Betting Tip: Salford Win – 7/4 - Star Sports