Best bets and predictions for the 2024-25 League Two playoffs: Fast-finishing Spireites poised to swoop

When do the League Two playoffs start?

The League Two playoffs start on Saturday, May 10, when Notts County host AFC Wimbledon. The return leg takes place at Plough Lane the following Saturday, May 17.

The second semi-final first-leg clash between Chesterfield and Walsall will take place on Sunday, May 11, with the return fixture on Friday, May 16.

When and where is the League Two playoff final?

The League Two playoff final will be staged at Wembley on Monday, May 26.

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Where to watch the League Two playoffs

Both legs of the two semi-finals and the League Two playoff final will be broadcast on Sky Sports.

League Two promotion odds

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

Odds correct at time of publishing

Best bet for League Two promotion

Chesterfield to win promotion
1pt 7-2 bet365, Betfair, Paddy Power

Aaron Ashley's League Two playoff predictions

Chesterfield failed to live up to pre-season expectations after being made League Two title favourites, but they have been given a second chance to live up to the hype in the playoffs and look best-placed of the four teams as they seek back-to-back promotions.

The Spireites suffered just one defeat in their final 13 matches, winning eight of those outings, and snatched seventh with their final-day victory at Accrington, capitalising on Salford’s slip-up at relegated Carlisle.

During that period, Chesterfield ran out emphatic 4-0 winners away at Salford as well as winning 2-1 on their trip to playoff rivals Notts County.

Despite their early-season struggles when adjusting to life back in the Football League, Chesterfield lost only three of their 23 home league games this season and that included a 5-2 win over champions Doncaster as well as score draws with fellow promoted pair Port Vale and Bradford.

Four wins in their final six away games suggest that they have also turned a corner on their travels and leading forward Will Grigg, who has four goals in his last six appearances, is hitting form at the perfect time.

Going into the playoffs confident can often be key and Chesterfield, having also shown their defensive steel with five clean sheets in their last ten matches, are in much brighter spirits than their three rivals.

Although Walsall finished fourth, seven points above Chesterfield, that doesn’t tell the full story and they could be ideal semi-final opponents for Paul Cook’s side.

The Saddlers were odds-on for the title in early March but endured a 13-game winless run prior to edging to a 1-0 success at out-of-form Crewe on the last day of the season.

Walsall’s decline coincided with the departure of Stoke loanee Nathan Lowe, who had started the season with 15 goals in 22 league appearances, and they may be there for the taking.

The two-legged tie between Notts County and AFC Wimbledon is tougher to predict, but both of those teams also come with warnings.

County boast the best attacking options, armed with Alassana Jatta and David McGoldrick, who combined to score 36 league goals this season. However, the Magpies picked up only four points from their final six games and lost five of their final seven at home.

AFC Wimbledon had the meanest defence in the division, being breached only 35 times in 46 games, but they were also the lowest scorers in the top nine and seem reliant on the services of 17-goal striker Matty Stevens.

The Dons won only two of their final nine games, scoring just three times in their final six outings, so also have plenty to prove.

Fast-finishing Chesterfield are the current outsiders of the four despite being in the best nick and that looks to be where the value lies.

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Read more on the EFL playoffs:

Championship: Blades look too sharp for their rivals 

League One: Leyton Orient can express themselves in playoff battle  

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