Luton Town vs Coventry City prediction: Championship play-off final tips and odds

Belfast Telegraph

26 May 2023

Our betting expert has shared their analysis and selection for Saturday’s Luton Town vs Coventry City Championship play-off final at Wembley Stadium (kick-off, 4.45 pm). You can find the expert's three tips by scrolling down.

Luton Town vs Coventry City betting tips

Carlton Morris to score any time @ 7/4 with BoyleSports
Kyle McFadzean to be carded and under 2.5 goals @ 10/3 with BoyleSports

Odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.

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Happy days for the Hatters

It will be a great story regardless of who wins on Saturday. Luton found themselves in the National League as recently as 2013-14 and have patiently built themselves back up, with current manager Rob Edwards looking like another inspired appointment after only six months in the job.

Meanwhile, since taking over in 2017 for his second spell in charge, Edwards’ opposite number Mark Robins has guided Coventry from League Two and into the upper echelons of the Championship.

They ended the season fifth in the standings and then upset Middlesbrough in the semi-finals to prolong their hopes of a first top-flight campaign since 2000-01.

Coventry also battled to two hard-earned draws against Luton during the regular season but the Hatters were 10 points better off in the final standings before beating Sunderland in the semis.

It was a memorable night at Kenilworth Road for Luton, who overturned a 2-1 first-leg deficit to beat Sunderland 3-2 on aggregate and Saturday may end the club’s 31-year absence from the top-flight.

Luton Town vs Coventry City tip 1: Luton Town to win @ 11/8 with BoyleSports

Morris might be the man

Carlton Morris scored both his side’s goals in the pair’s 2-2 draw at Kenilworth Road and that brace contributed to his tally of 20 goals in his breakout season.

Morris has had to pay his dues but is now reaping the rewards and even if Luton fail to gain promotion, he may still find himself playing in the Premier League next term.

The 27-year-old has failed to score in his last three outings, but the manner in which he has risen to the challenges he has faced this season suggests he could find something special at Wembley.

With that brace under his belt, look for him to again try and exploit any gaps in the Sky Blues’ defensive set-up.

Luton Town vs Coventry City tip 2: Carlton Morris to score anytime @ 7/4 with BoyleSports

McFadzean to catch the eye

If all goes to plan, it could be a 1-0 win that proves enough for Luton and history hints that backing under 2.5 goals might be something for punters pondering a bet builder.

The previous 10 Championship play-off finals have only produced 15 goals and, considering these two played out two draws in the regular season, one goal might be enough. There have been under 2.5 goals in five of Luton’s last seven games as well as in Coventry’s previous four.

For the other half of our bet builder, we have added Kyle McFadzean to be carded. The 36-year-old picked up 11 yellow cards in the regular season, plus one in the semi-final win over Middlesbrough.

It would be some story for the veteran defender to reach the Premier League for the first time after playing in all three EFL divisions as well as the National League North but he will be in for a busy afternoon against Luton’s attackers so is a smart selection to pick up a yellow.

Luton Town vs Coventry City tip 3: Kyle McFadzean to be carded and under 2.5 goals @ 10/3 with BoyleSports

Luton Town vs Coventry City odds

Odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.

Luton Town vs Coventry City team news

Luton Town

Cauley Woodrow is the only major absentee for Edwards who is expected to name the same starting line-up as the second leg against Sunderland.

Predicted line-up (3-5-2): Horvarth, Osho, Lockyer, Bell; Drameh, Clark, Nakamba, Mpanzu, Doughty; Adebayo, Morris.

Coventry City

Semi-final hero Gustavo Hamer is getting fitter after needing an injection to play at the Riverside. Kasey Palmer is back in training but is unlikely to feature, having last played in February.

Predicted line-up (3-4-1-2): Wilson, McNally, McFadzean, Doyle; Norton-Cuffy, Kelly, Hamer, Bidwell; Eccles; Godden, Gyokeres.