Frank Christian
The EFL season’s final play-off showdown unfolds on a Bank Holiday in League Two, where AFC Wimbledon, managed by Johnnie Jackson, strives to reacquire their place in the third division against Walsall, a team that feels they should have already achieved that goal.
As supporters of Wimbledon travel from the south to north London, there’s been some dissatisfaction among the fans throughout the season. Nonetheless, a resounding victory over Notts County in the semi-finals has reignited their hopes for a pre-season revival.
They now confront Walsall, who at one point this season had strong claims to being the top team in League Two. However, manager Mat Sadler’s squad faced a significant setback when star loanee Nathan Lowe returned to Stoke City, leading to a dramatic downturn in their form.
Despite this, Walsall has shown remarkable resilience, bouncing back after a tumultuous second half of the season that saw them miss out on automatic promotion in the dying moments of the last game as Bradford City netted a last-minute winner against Fleetwood Town, displacing Walsall from the top trio.
This match presents both teams with a final chance to fulfill their promotion aspirations, and we’re here to provide the best betting insights for this encounter.
The odds listed are accurate at the time of publication but may change.
Prediction, Tips, Bet Builder, and Odds for Wimbledon vs. Walsall
Half-Time Draw & Under 2.5 Match Goals — 1.64/1 (Betfair)
As noted, Walsall faced difficulties after the departure of Lowe, who netted 15 goals in 22 matches before leaving. Once sitting 17 points clear of fourth and 12 ahead of second place, they stumbled, securing only 19 points from their final 19 fixtures and winning just three times, scoring only 23 goals during that span.
Wimbledon approached the play-offs with a modest tally of 56 goals throughout the regular season—just three more than Accrington Stanley, who finished in 21st place. Nevertheless, Jackson’s squad has been tough to contend with, as evidenced by their playoff performance against County last week.
With Wimbledon holding the best defensive record in League Two (conceding 35 goals) and a Walsall side still recovering from recent setbacks, a closely contested match is anticipated, making a wager on under 2.5 goals appealing. Including a half-time draw could further enhance the bet’s value.
Walsall to Win 1-0, 2-0 or 2-1 — 11/4 (Boyle Sports)
While Walsall may still be feeling the impact of needing the play-offs, not many teams could achieve such performance under challenging circumstances to reach Wembley.
Many teams might have faltered due to a lack of momentum, but they convincingly advanced past Chesterfield, who barely made the top seven on the final day following a six-match unbeaten stretch.
The leadership of captain Jamille Matt and notable second-half impact player Albert Adomah was crucial in their two-legged victory over Chesterfield. Having surmounted that challenge, they’ve demonstrated enough capability to reclaim the perception of being superior to Wimbledon.
The Boyle Sports offer for them winning 1-0, 2-0, or 2-1 is definitely worth considering.
Predicted Score and Likely Outcomes for Wimbledon vs. Walsall
Suggestion from TSN: Walsall to emerge victorious within 90 minutes (2/1 with Paddy Power)
Score Forecast: Wimbledon 0-2 Walsall (12/1 with Betfair)
We believe Walsall should be favored here, but it’s likely the match may not be especially exciting for those neutral viewers. Here’s a look at the most likely outcomes based on Paddy Power, which is currently offering £30 in free bets for a £5 stake for new customers before the match.
Viewing Details for Wimbledon vs. Walsall League Two Play-off Final
- Date: Monday, 26th May 2025
- Venue: Wembley, London
- Kick-off: 15:01 BST
- Broadcast: The League Two play-off final will be broadcast live on Sky Sports and available to stream via Sky Go.
RELATED LINKS:
- Comprehensive guide to betting on football for beginners
- Understanding betting odds, including fractional, decimal, and American formats
