League One playoff predictions, betting odds and tips: Leyton Orient can express themselves in playoff battle

When do the League One playoffs start?

The League One playoffs start on Saturday, May 10, when Leyton Orient host Stockport County. The return leg takes place on Wednesday, May 14.

The second semi-final between Wycombe and Charlton begins on Sunday, May 11, with the return fixture at The Valley on Thursday, May 15.

When and where is the League One playoff final?

The League One playoff final will be staged at Wembley on Sunday, May 25.

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Where to watch the League One playoffs

Both semi-finals and the League One playoff final will be broadcast on Sky Sports.

League One promotion odds

Here are Sky Bet's latest odds for the League One playoffs:

Odds correct at time of publishing

Best bet

Leyton Orient
1pt 9-2 general

Dan Childs's League One playoff predictions

Leyton Orient have not played second-tier football since 1982 but they are approaching the League One playoffs on a six-game winning sequence and look overpriced to realise their promotion dream.

The division's title race was a procession with big-spending Birmingham topping the table after setting an EFL record with 111 points.

However, the playoffs are likely to be fiercely competitive with Stockport, Charlton and Leyton Orient moving into the post-season with a winning habit and bundles of confidence.

Wycombe are the exception, having ended the league campaign with three successive losses, including a 4-0 reverse at home to Charlton who are their playoff semi-final opponents.

The Chairboys went into the Charlton game (their 44th of the season) in second place with the knowledge that they were three wins away from sealing automatic promotion, but they delivered an error-strewn performance which seems to have sucked the life out of their promotion push.

Mike Dodds's side followed with losses away to Leyton Orient (1-0) and at home to Stockport (3-1) – leaving them in fifth place and at a psychological disadvantage in relation to each of their playoff rivals.

Challenging for second place and ended up fifth must have been tough to digest for the Buckinghamshire side, who must try to rediscover the spark of their early-season performances.

Wycombe were going well under former manager Matt Bloomfield, but he left to take over at Luton in January and their performance level has declined since. They were still the division's top scorers at the beginning of April, but their approach became more cautious as the season progressed and it showed in the final eight games with just five goals scored and nine conceded.

While Wycombe may be short of belief, their semi-final opponents Charlton should be buoyant having excelled in the closing months of the campaign.

Charlton made an uncertain start and were 14th after winning just six of their opening 19 games.

However, they piled up 61 points from the next 27 matches and were pushing to steal a top-two finish until a 3-0 reverse at Wrexham in their 45th game.

The Addicks were weakened by injuries for their last two matches with defender Lloyd Jones and attacker Thierry Small unable to feature, and their playoff hopes may hinge on getting that duo back to full fitness.

There are fewer question marks over Stockport, who are pushing for a second successive promotion.

Dave Challinor's side quickly adapted to the higher level and maintained a consistent standard despite the considerable blow of losing key Aston Villa loanee Louie Barry, who was recalled in January and sent out on another temporary move to Championship strugglers Hull.

Barry still finished top of County's scoring charts with 15 goals in 23 games but they pushed on regardless and collected more points in the second half of the season (50) than in the first (37).

Stockport gathered 22 points from their last eight games but they are up against an equally confident Leyton Orient, who clinched the last playoff spot with a run of six successive victories.

Orient reached the top six despite going through two tough runs, losing four straight games at the start of the season and sustaining five consecutive losses from late-February to early March.

But they have looked a potent force in recent weeks and sealed their playoff spot in fine style with a 4-1 victory away to Huddersfield.

Richie Wellens' side will have to play well to get past Stockport, but they are extremely well-coached and have an ace in the pack up front with 21-goal striker Charlie Kelman topping the third-tier scoring charts.

The Londoners probably have the lowest expectations of the four contenders but they have every chance of taking the final two steps to glory and look overpriced to end their 43-year second-tier exile.

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Read more on the EFL playoffs:

Championship: Blades look too sharp for their rivals 

League Two: Fast-finishing Spireites poised to swoop   

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