Here are our top Newport County v Tranmere Rovers betting tips. The race is on to secure the one remaining place in League One for next season as we enjoy the League Two play-off final. The regular season saw Lincoln City claim promotion thanks to a title win, ending on 85 points. They banked just two points from their last five games but could afford to roll to a stop following a successful season.
Lincoln were joined by Bury who ended second and MK Dons who climbed back to the third tier of English football by bagging the bronze medal. The play-off positions were filled by Mansfield, Forest Green Rovers, Tranmere Rovers and Newport County. The final will be played at a packed Wembley Stadium on Saturday 25 May in front of the live Sky Sports cameras.
Time Running Out to Secure a Profit
Newport and Tranmere make up the two and we’re set for a thrilling 90 minutes, with extra-time and penalties available in needed. This will be a day out for both sets of fans, but it’ll also be a match that appeals to the neutrals, as well as football punters.
You can bet on the outcome of the tie with all major bookmakers, having your say on popular markets such match winner, total goals, correct score, first team to score, to win to nil, Asian handicap and more than a hundred others.
When the game is in-play most of those betting opportunities remain live meaning a gamble is always possible, whether there’s 80 minutes on the clock or eight. There’s not too much football still to be played, so bet wisely on this fixture as it’s one of your final chances to turn a profit from the domestic season.
County Keep Their Cool From the Spot
Newport County finished the season with stats of 20 wins and 11 draws against 15 defeats, the 71 points gained leaving them seventh in the pecking order. They snuck into the play-offs by the skin of their teeth but have found form when it matters, defying the expectations of many to cement a slot in the final. Will they go all the way to League One and claim the financial gains that comes with climbing the steps of the English football system? We’ll find out soon enough.
They ended just one point ahead of Colchester, Exeter and Stevenage in a bunch finish, stumbling across the line with a closing day draw. That was a little too close for comfort, but they did end the campaign in style, unbeaten in their last five League Two fixtures thanks to a run of three wins and a draw. It was just enough, but the facts remain it was enough to see them home safely. The team have made a bit of a habit of appearing at the national stadium in recent times and they will be hoping for a bit more luck this weekend.
County grabbed their place in the final thanks to a win over Mansfield, but they needed penalties to achieve it. The first leg ended 1-1 at Rodney Parade and was followed by a goalless finish in the reverse. That forced the match into extra-time and then penalties. With nothing between the pair, it was Newport who held their nerve, winning 5-3 from the spot. A glorious day for fans. Manager Mike Flynn knows how close his men came to being eliminated by took heart from their defensive showing over two legs. He’ll want to see more of the same here.
Tranmere Upset the Odds
Tranmere Rovers finished one place higher than their fellow finalists with two more points on the board after a punishing 46-game League Two season. 20 wins and 13 draws against 13 defeats was enough to secure a play-off finish and although the bare stats don’t look particularly impressive, they did take their foot off the gas in the final few weeks when it was obvious they’d be playing play-off football. Players were rested for the extra games, a number of fringe and youth squad members given a run out going into spring.
They won only one of their last five league starts and failed to win any of their last four, that drought made up of two defeats and a couple of draws. They ended the season with a loss away to Crawley, beaten 3-1 on what proved to be a wasted trip for the visiting fans. Tranmere appeared to be merely going through the motions in that fixture and we won’t be too harsh on them for the result as they bounced back when it mattered.
Rovers began their play-off push with a 1-0 home win over Forest Green Rovers on 10 May and followed that with a 1-1 on the road, enough to see them sneak through courtesy of a 2-1 aggregate score. It wasn’t a massive shock, but they did eliminate an opponent that had been much more impressive over the course of the season, upsetting the betting odds in the process. It’ll all count for nothing if they chock at Wembley but, like their opponents, a trip to London is nothing new to them and they will take this in their stride.
Bookies Backing Rovers
This will be a competitive contest and punters have been kept guessing in the build-up, but bookmakers have had their say and price Tranmere Rovers as favourites to win the match in 90 minutes. Backers who agree with the money men can get their stake down on the 31/20 at Unibet, most of the competition offering less of a price. To lift the trophy is 4/5 with Bet365 and that covers extra-time and penalties.
That leaves Newport County as 2/1 second favourites with Bet365 and, given the closeness of this fixture and the nerves that will be present on the day, that will be difficult to ignore. We certainly wouldn’t put anyone off a punt at the bigger price but we’re having the draw at 21/10 (Bet365).