Hull and Middlesbrough will square off in the Championship play-off final at Wembley today during one of the most contentious weeks in English football history.
Hull had been getting ready to play Southampton in the final after upsetting Millwall in their semi-final by winning 2-0 on aggregate. But earlier this week, those plans underwent a significant change.
After Southampton acknowledged spying on three opponents’ training sessions, including those prior to their second-leg match against Middlesbrough, the English Football League (EFL) independent disciplinary commission disqualified the team from the play-offs and deducted four points for the following season.
Middlesbrough will now replace Southampton in today’s final as a result of the decision.
Here’s a look at the main markets available with Sky Bet for fans eager to follow this fascinating game.
Sky Bet’s prediction for today’s Championship play-off final at Wembley between Hull and Middlesbrough
To Raise the Trophy
Middlesbrough enters the final as the clear favorites to guarantee a spot in the Premier League for the upcoming season, priced at 2/5, despite losing their semi-final match to Southampton.
Hull, on the other hand, are 7/4 outsiders and hope to make their first appearance in the English top division in ten years.
This season, the two teams’ league encounters were divided; Middlesbrough won the first match 4-1, while Hull won the second match 1-0.
Which squad will step up and prevail in their season’s most crucial match? Time will tell.
Price Increases
For this tantalizing match, Sky Bet is offering four price boosts. Oli McBurnie will score first at 9/1, Josh Egan will be carded at 4/1, Matt Crooks will record 5+ foul involvements at 3/1, and Morgan Whittaker will have 4+ shots at 1/1.
According to the statistics supporting these increases, Whittaker has made 18 shots in his last five games, including six in his most recent start, while McBurnie is Hull City’s top scorer this season.
Furthermore, Egan was booked in both his most recent game and the previous encounter between these teams, and Crooks has committed more fouls than any other Hull player this season.
Match Stat Discounts
Each half, both GKs will make a save.
One-half
24 or more fouls during a game
5/4
Any GK that is fouled
11/8
Hull will commit the most fouls and Middlesbrough will have the most shots on goal.
11/8
David Strelec, Mohamed Belloumi, and Riley McGree will all be fouled at least four times.
6/4
Luke Ayling, Matt Targett, and John Egan will all commit four or more fouls.
13/8
Four or more outside-the-box shots that are on target
2/1
Middlesbrough will commit five or more fouls in the first half and Middlesbrough GK will make two or more saves.
11/4
Between them, both GKs must make ten or more saves.
7/2
In the first half, Hull GK will make four or more saves.
15/2
30 or more fouls throughout a game
10/1
Four or more offsides, forty or more tackles, and forty or more throw-ins
November 1st
In each half, both goalkeepers must make two or more saves.
November 1st
Six or more shots from outside the box that are on target
12/1
Every half, both teams must be offside, and both goalkeepers must make a save.
18/1
Middlesbrough will score four or more goals from beyond the area.
18/1
David Strelec and Oliver McBurnie must each have two or more shots on goal and be fouled twice or more.
80/1
David Strelec, Mohamed Belloumi, and Riley McGree will each be fouled nine or more times.
100/1
Luke Ayling, Matt Targett, and John Egan will all commit nine or more fouls.
100/1
In each half, both goalkeepers must make three or more saves.
125/1
Two or more headed shots and two or more shots from outside the box must be made by each team.
125/1
