Three unlikely play-off winners to inspire Brighton’s promotion push
Published:
As the team that finished sixth in the Championship this year Brighton go into the play-offs as the outside bet to reach the Premier League promised land.
The Seagulls can be backed to reach the top tier for the first time at 10/3 and despite being seen as underdogs should not be taken lightly.
Harry Redknapp’s QPR and Uwe Rosler’s Wigan are priced at 13/5 to make a top flight return but Derby are the favourites at 11/5.
However, finishing sixth isn’t always a bad thing and the following sides should serve as inspiration for Oscar Garcia’s men.
Swindon Town – 1993
The Robins finished level with Leicester on 76 points and neither team were fancied to upset Pompey who finished some 12 points higher in third place.
However, inspired by a Glenn Hoddle strike just before half-time Swindon ran out to a 3-0 lead only to be pegged back by the 70th minute.
With extra time and penalties looming left back Paul Bodin stepped up to the spot and held his nerve to go down in Robins folklore.
Leicester City – 1996
Three years later it was the Foxes turn to finish level on points with the bottom play-off side and face the third-placed team in the final.
This game may not have matched the 1993 final for action but certainly offered an equal amount of drama.
With the sides locked at 1-1 towards the end of extra time Steve Claridge put his name on the map with a wonder strike to send the Foxes up.
Blackpool – 2010
The Tangerines edged Swansea by just a point to secure their play-off spot but seized their opportunity by pegging Cardiff back not once but twice in the Wembley final.
Charlie Adam and Gary Taylor-Fletcher cancelled out strikes from Michael Chopra and Joe Ledley before seasoned campaigner Brett Omerod dealt the killer blow in first half stoppage time.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
Fancy a flutter? Sign up today to claim up to £50 in free bets.
