Exeter City face Northampton Town in the Football League Two play-off final at Wembley with the winner promoted to League One.
Northampton had to overcome a two-goal first-leg deficit against Cheltenham Town in the semi-final play-off, but thanks to goals from Vadaine Oliver and Callum Morton, including the winner 13 minutes from time, it was enough to see off the Robins.
Exeter booked their spot in the play-off final after Ryan Bowman’s goal deep into extra time was sufficient to get the better of Colchester United, who went into the second leg with a slender one-goal advantage.
The Grecians certainly enjoy their annual trip to Wembley, having performed at the historic stadium no less than three times in the last four years.
Exeter finished seven points ahead of the Cobblers in the regular season, but as we all know final league positions mean nothing when it comes to play-offs.
When these sides met back in the league in February at The PTS Academy Stadium, Northampton completed a 2-0 win. Earlier in the season down at St. James Park it was the turn of the Devon side to end up winners in a 3-2 thriller.
Out of the two sides going into Monday’s encounter, Northampton have had two wins in their last five games whilst Exeter have stuttered of late with just a single win in their previous five games.
In the head to head between the two sides it is the Cobblers who have had the better, winning three of their last six meetings with the Grecians claiming just one win.
Exeter’s leading marksman this season Bowman has already scored 13 times in the league this season, with three of those coming in his last seven appearances.
Northampton have struggled for goals this term, with both Andy Williams and Sam Hoskins scoring eight apiece.
The experienced Williams, is in a barren run of form at the moment, having failed to score for ten games.
It will certainly be interesting to see how both teams will handle not just the pressure on Monday, but the fact they will have to play a major final with no fans in attendance.
Team News
Both managers are expected to stick with the same starting line up from the second leg of the semi-finals.
Match Prediction
As I mentioned earlier, forget about league form or how teams have come back since the restart, in play-off finals it is about who has the luck on the day.
In terms of a prediction, I just fancy Exeter to prevail over Northampton on the night. The fact that Exeter consider Wembley to be almost their second home will help their cause. I am going with a Grecians win by 2-0
Match Preview written by Peter Moore.