All you need to know ahead of the Sky Bet League One & League Two Play-Off Finals
The Sky Bet Play-Off Finals are almost upon us once again!
Here is everything you need to know ahead of this weekend:
When and where are the Play-Offs taking place?
The League One Play-Off Final – contested between Bolton Wanderers and Oxford United – takes place on Saturday 18 May at Wembley Stadium with a kick-off time of 16:15.
The League Two Play-Off Final – contested between Crawley Town and Crewe Alexandra – takes place on Sunday 19 May at Wembley Stadium with a kick-off time of 13:00.
Which ends will the Finalist Clubs be situated in?
On Saturday, Bolton Wanderers will be housed in the East side of Wembley with Oxford United in the West. The Bolton Fan Zone is located on the East Concourse are of the stadium, with the Oxford Fan Zone on the West side of the stadium in Arena Square. Both Fan Zones open at 11:00 and will close at 15:00.
On Sunday, Crewe Alexandra will be in the East side of the stadium, with Crawley Town in the West. The Crewe Fan Zone is located on the East Concourse are of the stadium and the Crawley Fan Zone is on the West side of the stadium in the Arena Square. Both Fan Zones open at 11:00 and will close at 12:00.
Which kits will the teams be wearing?
Both Bolton Wanderers and Oxford United will be in their home kits. Crewe Alexandra will be in their red home strip, with Crawley Town in their white away kit.
How can I watch and follow the Final?
You can tune in to Sky Sports Football and Sky Sports Main Event to watch both Finals live this weekend.
For the League One Play-Off Final, the team will be on air from 15:30 to 19:00. Reporters are Johnny Phillips and Jonathan Oakes. Commentators are Daniel Mann, Andy Hinchcliffe and Mike Dean. Presenter is Michelle Owen who will be joined by guests Curtis Davies, Jobi McAnuff, Paul Warne and Fabrice Muamba.
For the League Two Play-Off Final, the team will be on air from 12:00 to 16:00. Reporters are Johnny Phillips and Jonathan Oakes. Commentators are Gary Weaver and Don Goodman. Presenter is Michelle Owen who will be joined by guests Jobi McAnuff, Troy Deeney and Macaulay Langstaff.
Will VAR be in use at the Finals?
Video Assistant Referee (VAR), along with goal-line technology, will be in use at all of this year’s Play-Off Finals.
Who are the match officials?
League One:
Referee | Sam Barrott |
Assistant Referees | Paul Hodskinson & Nigel Lugg |
Fourth Official | Andrew Kitchen |
Reserve AR | Matt McGrath |
VAR | Peter Bankes |
AVAR | Sian Massey-Ellis |
League Two:
Referee | Ben Toner |
Assistant Referees | Darren Williams & Paul Newhouse |
Fourth Official | Lewis Smith |
Reserve AR | Hugh Gilroy |
VAR | Michael Salisbury |
AVAR | Constantine Hatzidakis |
How did the teams book their place at Wembley?
Bolton Wanderers advanced to the League One Play-Off Final in a thrilling 5-4 aggregate win over Barnsley. After winning the first leg 3-1 away from home, the Whites had the advantage at the break. However, the South Yorkshire team fought back, winning the second leg 3-2 but Bolton held on.
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Oxford United saw off Peterborough United 2-1 over the two-legged Semi-Final to seal their place in the Final. The U’s made the home leg count, running out 1-0 winners over Posh at the Kassam Stadium. In the reverse fixture, Peterborough found an equaliser, but Oxford re-established their lead to progress.
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Crawley Town put in a dominant display against MK Dons to record the biggest-ever aggregate win in a Play-Off Semi-Final. Scott Lindsey’s men brushed aside the Buckinghamshire outfit in an emphatic 8-1 victory across the two games, beating their opponents 3-0 in the first leg and 5-1 in the second leg.
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Crewe Alexandra had to come from 2-0 down in the first leg to overcome Doncaster Rovers in the Semi-Final. The Alex came flying out of the blocks at the Eco-Power Stadium to level the tie on aggregate. It finished all square after extra-time and it was Lee Bell’s men who were victorious in the penalty shootout.
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