Hull vs Bristol City: Playoff final betting

Hull City are a best priced 7/5 to reach the promised land of the Premier League by beating Bristol City in the Championship Play-Off final this Saturday but if the bookies prices are anything to go by it'll be Gary Johnson's men who will be celebrating at Wembley.

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Oddsmakers expected Crystal Palace and Watford to get the better of their opponents in the semi-finals but as it stands the likes of Fernando Torres and Cesc Fabregas will be gracing either Ashton Gate or the attractively named Kingston Communication Stadium next season after the two lesser-fancied sides came up trumps at the last four stage.

Hull's favouritism lies in the convincing manner with which they overwhelmed Watford in their semi-finals. If their 2-0 win at Vicarage Road was deserved their 4-1 triumph in the home leg was an emphatic statement of intent. The latter scoreline probably flattered them as two goals came in the last two minutes as Watford were throwing men forward in a last roll of the dice but the Tigers are certainly a side in form.

Phil Brown's men won eight of their last 12 league matches to reach the play-offs and the experience of Dean Windass and Nick Barmby is serving them well. Without a goal since August, Barmby waited until the play-offs before adding to his tally with a goal in each match and the former England man's 7/2 to score at any time certainly appeals here.

Hull, though, do not have a great record against Bristol City, whom they have not beaten for more than 23 years. The West Country side have won seven of their nine encounters in that time, albeit against Hull outfits that cannot compare with their modern-day equivalent.

While Hull have never played in the top flight, success for the Robins would be an equally momentous achivement considering Johnson's men were in the third tier this time last year. The 1,000/1 shots at the start of the season took the division by storm and only a stuttering finish in the home straight denied them automatic promotion.

Bristol City endured more of a struggle to overcome a Palace side who took them all the way to extra-time in the second leg. However, the fact that they only just scraped through by no means rules them out of this contest. Johnson has created a solid side who are deadly from set-pieces – and it could be one such moment that decides a close match. Furthermore, they beat Hull 2-1 at Ashton Gate in March.

With so little to choose between the two sides who drew at Hull earlier in the season and so much at stake a cagy game is anticipated – as is the draw.

Verdict: 1pt Draw @ 2.35; 2pts Barmby to score at any time @ 7/2

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