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Notts County and Salford City travel to Wembley on Bank Holiday Monday as they meet in the League Two play-off final.
The Magpies headed into the final day of the regular season with the opportunity to secure automatic promotion and avoid the treacherous playoff route.
However, a draw against Bristol Rovers condemned them to a fifth-placed finish, setting up a semi-final clash with Chesterfield, which they narrowly won 1-0 on aggregate across two legs.
As for Salford City, they also entered the final day with hopes of securing a top-three finish and automatic promotion to League One.
Like their opponents, though, they missed the chance after being held to a goalless draw by Crawley Town.
The Ammies were then taken all the way to extra time in their semi-final against Grimsby Town, eventually booking their place at Wembley thanks to a dramatic 117th-minute winner from Kallum Cesay in the second leg.
Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.
Notts County vs Salford City key stats
- Salford City won both league meetings between the sides this season, claiming 2-1 victories at both Meadow Lane and the Peninsula Stadium.
- Notts County tasted Wembley success in 2023 when they beat Chesterfield on penalties in the National League playoff final.
- The Magpies have won just two of their last eight matches, including a defeat to Salford during that run.
Notts County vs Salford City preview: Second time lucky for Ammies?
Notts County vs Salford City — League Two Tale of the Tape
| Notts County | vs | Salford City |
|---|---|---|
| 5th | Position | 4th |
| 80 | Points | 81 |
| 74 | Goals For | 61 |
| 52 | Goals Against | 51 |
| 13 | Clean Sheets | 15 |
| 5th / 5th | Home / Away Rank | 3rd / 9th |
After earning promotion back to League Two at the end of the 2022-23 season, Notts County have since recorded finishes of 16th, sixth and now fifth in the English fourth tier.
Their previous top-six campaign ended in disappointment after a 2-0 aggregate defeat to AFC Wimbledon in the semi-finals, meaning the Magpies will now hope to go one step further and secure promotion at Wembley this time around.
Their form towards the end of the regular season may have raised concerns, but back-to-back clean sheets against Chesterfield have helped restore confidence at the perfect moment for Martin Paterson’s side.
In terms of team news, Lewis Macari remains unavailable in defence, although there is positive news regarding Jodi Jones after his injury scare in the second leg.
Jones was forced off early in that match but is expected to recover in time to start on Monday afternoon.
Salford City, meanwhile, will be grateful for the extended break between matches after being pushed to extra time in their dramatic victory over Grimsby Town.
Robinson’s side remain without Jorge Grant, Ossama Ashley and Zach Awe, although the return of Kadeem Harris to the bench last time out provided a welcome boost.
This marks only the second time Salford have reached the playoffs since joining the EFL, with Robinson describing the occasion as the biggest match in the club’s history.
Notts County vs Salford City form guide & betting tips
| Notts County | vs | Salford City |
|---|---|---|
LWDWD |
Form | WWDWD |
| 5 | Points | 11 |
| 14th | Form Table | 7th |
| 7 | Goals For | 6 |
| 10 | Goals Against | 3 |
LLDWD |
Form (All Comps) | WWDWD |
Whispers predicts: Notts County 1-2 Salford City
We expect Salford City to edge a close and tense contest when the two sides meet under the Wembley arch on Monday afternoon.
Salford to win is 9/5 and therefore our pick.
Both league meetings between the clubs this season produced over 2.5 goals, with both teams scoring on each occasion.
BTTS – Yes is priced at 4/5, and Over 2.5 goals is at 11/10.
> Match result – Salford City win at 9/5 | Likelihood: Probable
> BTTS – Yes at 4/5 | Likelihood: Possible
> Over 2.5 goals at 11/10 | Likelihood: Possible
> Correct score – Notts County 1-2 Salford City at 25/1 | Likelihood: Outsider