Gab Sutton's 2025/26 League Two Play-Off Final Preview

Back in 2015, Salford City faced Notts County as underdogs.

The Ammies were a non-league club, recently bought by the Class Of 92, participating in the Northern Premier League (step-3), and their 2-0 victory over League Two County, courtesy of goals from Danny Webber and Richie Allen, represented the upset of the round.

Now, they face one another on a level playing surface in more ways than one: they finished the League Two season just one point apart, outside the automatic promotion spots, and the fact the traders have priced both sides at 7/4 to win the League Two Play-Off Final in 90 minutes shows there’s nothing to separate them.

The spiritually Lancashire (but technically Greater Manchester) outfit, though, aren’t the only ones who have come a long way in order for that to happen.

Notts County had their stylistic and cultural rebuild under Neal Ardley and Luke Williams in the National League, then reached the Play-Offs last season under Stuart Maynard, and now Martin Paterson intends to take them one step further.

But who will prevail when the pair lock-horns at Wembley on Monday, that's the big question...

Form Guide

Notts County finished their league season with four defeats in eight, and will reflect on missed opportunities to capitalise on late dropped points from Cambridge, while Salford’s late dart proved not quite enough, as Karl Robinson’s side failed to secure victory at Crawley.

Although these two sides’ seasons produced very similar outcomes, it was via different routes.

The Magpies went more than two without a win (three and four-game streaks in August and December respectively) just twice, but also only had two unbeaten streaks exceeding four (six and seven, October, January).

Whereas, the Ammies had losing streaks of two, three and four in succession (one each), but winning sequences of two (x3), three (x3) and four (x1), including a nine-game unbeaten run.

In other words, County have arguably more bouncebackability, whereas Salford are a confidence side, hard to stop once they get on a roll.

Performances across the Semi-Finals, though, suggest Robinson’s side should be slight favourites, with their opponents needing the heroics of goalkeeper James Belshaw to get over the line.

The Tactics Board

The physical battle of Ade Oluwo against Alassana Jatta could have an enormous say in the overall outcome of the contest.

Jatta poses a major threat from crosses into the box from Nick Tsaroulla and Jodi Jones - not scoring as many with his head as we might assume, just the two - but he gives them a powerful, ruthless edge.

Oluwo, however, at 6’3” is well equipped to handle the Gambian goalscorer’s threat, while Haji Mnoga might have the athleticism at right-back to stop Jones from breaking into dangerous areas.

Notts do have alternative threats, though, in lanky ball-carrier Tom Iorpenda, who’s enjoyed a fabulous campaign on loan from Huddersfield, and fellow attacking midfielder Jayden Luker, who’s peaked in the Play-Off Semi-Final and could be ready for some big contributions.

Paterson’s side, though, are missing key defender Matty Platt, and while they coped in his absence by not conceding in either Semi-Final leg, it’s not ideal as Rod McDonald looks to fill the void.

McDonald can replace Platt as a box defender, but he’s more limited on the ball which could be detrimental to the Magpies’ build-up under pressure from relentless runners Dan Udoh and Callum Cesay.

Salford also have Kelly N’Mai; the quick, agile, effervescent wide man clearly has a big future in the game, and could demonstrate that by lighting up Wembley.

The Betting Angle

• Bet Builder - Salford City - To Win to Nil, Kallum Cesay to Score & Under 3.5 Goals in the Game @ 10/1

On balance, Salford have the edge based on form and Semi-Final performance, even if our traders see no difference between them.

After Kallum Cesay got a dramatic winner against Grimsby in the 2nd leg, we back the Sierra Leonean to get among the goals once again.

We also think there’s a good chance Salford will concede no more than one, with Oluwo winning headers at the back, and score no more than two in such a tight game: 13 of the last 15 League Two Play-Off Finals have seen Under 3.5 Goals.

So, Salford to win in 90 minutes, with Cesay to score anytime and Under 3.5 Goals can be backed at 10/1.

All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.