Blackpool v Exeter City: Team news, predictions, stats & quotes for the Sky Bet League Two play-off final

The game kicks off at 1500 BST at Wembley, live on Sky Sports 1. 

Blackpool v Exeter City: Our prediction

2pts Ollie Watkins to score anytime in the Sky Bet League Two play-off final at 37/20 – Exeter’s highly-rated striker netted twice last time out and can make his mark at Wembley

The Sky Bet League Two play-offs have been all about goals so far and I’m confident the most entertaining of the Wembley finals will be the clash between Blackpool and Exeter on Sunday afternoon.   

The meeting of the Seasiders and Grecians is the one I expected would end the season in the fourth tier as Luton, the favourites before the play-offs began, were always worth opposing.   

Both semi-final ties were decided by goals netted deep into injury time in the second legs and it’s definitely been the attacking talent that has taken centre stage so far in these play-offs.   

I backed Exeter striker Ollie Watkins to score in the return game of the semi-final at home to Carlisle and the 21-year-old duly obliged with the first couple of goals in the Grecians’ 3-2 win at St James' Park.   

This should be Watkins’ last game for Exeter. His name is a constant feature in the gossip columns as Sky Bet Championship quartet Aston Villa, Bristol City, Derby County and Leeds United are all linked with completing a deal this summer.   

Blackpool are more than aware of the threat that Watkins poses but, like Exeter, they managed to concede five goals across their two semi-final matches so the forward should be confident of netting once again.   

Watkins is available at the top of the anytime goalscorer odds at 7/4 and I’m more than happy to show support again for one of League Two’s top attacking talents.   

Exeter are slight favourites to win promotion to League One and I agree with the prices offered by the bookies.   

My only concern is the Grecians twice letting a two-goal lead slip during their semi-final success against Carlisle. They just can’t afford to be as careless with an advantage against Blackpool.

I reckon there will be goals in this game as the road to the final has promised and backing Watkins is my best way to enjoy the afternoon.   

Prediction: Blackpool 1-2 Exeter   

Posted at 2115 BST on 25/05/17.    

Blackpool v Exeter City: David Prutton's preview

Hopefully it will be another ridiculously high-scoring game like we've seen so far in the semi-finals!

Both of these sides have been thoroughly entertaining and it would be great to see them come to Wembley with the same free-spirited approach. That being said, any side that goes through after conceding five over two legs could do with addressing their defensive issues.

An early goal either way would open it right up, and if there isn't one it could turn out to be as marginal as the League One final and it could just be about who handles the occasion better.

In that regard it's the fans who will play a key role, and Blackpool's support could make all the difference. Even just coming out as a player and seeing your team's colours on your side of the stadium can make all the difference in terms of spurring you on.

They could see this as a chance to take a stance against the owners on such a big day, but I hope for their sake and the team's sake that they park their issues and realise what a big game this is in their recent history.

Exeter will need to keep an eye on Mark Cullen, who was superb in the semi-finals and has the talent to be playing at a higher level, while Blackpool will have to deal with the threats of Ollie Watkins and Ryan Harley, both of whom have the ability to decide the game.

It will be a special day and it would be great if it was a close, entertaining game. It's tough to call but I think Blackpool will have the resilience to get through.

PRUTTON PREDICTS: Blackpool to win 3-2 and Mark Cullen to score first (110/1 with Sky Bet)

Blackpool v Exeter City: Pre-match quotes

Blackpool striker Mark Cullen on fans boycotting the game: "For me personally it's not been a distraction,.

"Everyone here does their utmost to keep us separate from that. All we can concentrate on is training and playing the game itself.

"Obviously it's great when any club sells out their allocation at Wembley but if not it is still the occasion it is.

"The players and staff will be going down there to enjoy the occasion and try to get the best result we can.

"It is massive (for the club). It has been a tough period after back-to-back relegation and other things happening around the place so to be able to put a bit of joy back into the fans who, even if they don't come to the game, they still support the team will be really good."

Cullen on his Wembley debut: "It should be a good experience. Everyone wants to try to get a game at Wembley at some point in their career so to be able to do that at the weekend is what you dream of as a kid.

"I've played in some big games and competitions so it is another one to tick off the list and one I'm looking forward to.

"I'm 25 so hopefully I get another chance to play at Wembley but if you look at Neil Danns in our dressing room he's old - 35 or something (he is actually 34) - and he's never played at Wembley so you should never give up the dream of trying to achieve it.

"You are going to get nervous, it is the natural reaction to have butterflies in your belly and if you didn't you wouldn't be human.

"You just have to concentrate on the job you are there to do and the nerves will settle down once the first whistle is blown."

Exeter boss Paul Tisdale on the teams' earlier meetings this season: "It's hard to look at the defeat in the first game of the season as any indicator.

"But we played them two or three months ago (a 2-2 draw) and that was a good indicator that they are developing into a team, and it goes without saying that any team in the play-offs is on the up.

"So we will be alert and wary of our opponents."

Tisdale on keeping emotions in check: "Everyone's excited but we have got the right balance between being excited and trying to do our job to win a game.

"We can't take anything for granted. You come through the semi-finals as high as a kite, exhilarated, like you have achieved something. But there is still one game to go.

"It's an awful place to lose, and great place to win, and I urge the players to make the most of it and play to the best of their ability, and if we do that we will have no regrets, whatever happens."

Blackpool v Exeter City: Team news

Blackpool manager Gary Bowyer admits the lure of a Wembley appearance has had a rejuvenating effect on his squad.

The Seasiders boss said a number of players made unexpectedly-early returns to training this week ahead of the League Two play-off final against Exeter on Sunday.

Forward Jamille Matt has missed the last five matches with a hamstring injury and - even if he returns to fitness - it seems likely he will be one of those to miss out.

A hamstring problem also meant top scorer Kyle Vassell missed the dramatic semi-final second-leg draw with Luton, in which a 90th-minute own goal put Blackpool through on aggregate, and he also remains a doubt.

Exeter boss Paul Tisdale has an almost fully-fit squad to choose from.

Only Robbie Simpson, who has an ankle injury, and long-term absentee Matt Jay are currently missing from training.

Tisdale could therefore stick with the side which overcame Carlisle 3-2 in the second leg of the semi-final.

Former Southampton, Derby and Leicester midfielder Matt Oakley, 39, will retire after the match.

Blackpool v Exeter City: Talking points

What effect will the Blackpool boycott have?

The Blackpool Supporters' Trust's 'Not A Penny More' campaign has targeted the interests of the Oyston family, the club's owners, and their boycott of home matches is set to be extended to the play-off final at Wembley. Just over 5,000 tickets had been sold on Thursday - a vast difference to the 37,000 who watched the Championship play-off final win against Cardiff in 2010.

Meanwhile, Exeter fans will outnumber their Blackpool counterparts by around 3-1 after the Devon club confirmed earlier this week they had sold over 15,000 tickets and that support and encouragement could prove decisive should either team need a 12th man. 

Is this Ollie Watkins' last game for Exeter?

Watkins was the subject of interest from Championship clubs in January - with Bristol City, Derby and Leeds among those reportedly keen - but Exeter managed to hold on to the promising forward. The 21-year-old scored 15 league goals this season, including two in the play-off semi-final second leg against Carlisle, to help fire the Grecians to Wembley.

He was named EFL Young Player of the Season last month and another big performance on Sunday will likely see clubs test Exeter's resolve once more over the summer. 

Can Exeter complete an amazing turnaround?

A 3-2 defeat at Carlisle on November 19 left Exeter bottom of the Football League. Only Leyton Orient, who were relegated, and Newport have spent more days in the bottom three in League Two this season so to finish fifth in the table is some achievement. If Paul Tisdale could mastermind one more win at Wembley on Sunday the transformation would be something near miraculous.  

Wil it be attack against defence?

Much of Exeter's rise up the table was down to their fire power. The Grecians scored 75 goals during the regular season, which was the third highest in the league behind champions Portsmouth (79) and third-placed Doncaster (85). Blackpool's success this season has been based on a solid defence which conceded just 46 goals - the joint-third best in League Two. Which will prevail on Sunday?

Blackpool v Exeter City: Opta facts

Blackpool have won five of their last eight matches against Exeter (D1 L2), all in league competition.

In all competitions, Exeter have won just three of their last 14 matches against the Tangerines (D4 L7) and failed to beat them in either game in League Two this season (D1 L1).

The Grecians have kept just one clean sheet in their last 19 matches, a 3-0 win over Cheltenham in March.

This is Blackpool’s seventh play-off final, more than any other team; indeed, no side has won more than the Tangerines (4, level with Crystal Palace).

Exeter are participating in their first Football League play-off final, becoming the 80th different side to do so since their inception in 1987.

Blackpool are visiting Wembley for the ninth time for in their history – since losing their first two trips in 1948 and 1951, they’ve only lost one of their seven games (W3 D3), though that defeat was in their last game at Wembley, a 2-1 loss against West Ham in the 2012 Championship play-off final.

Meanwhile, this is Exeter’s third visit to Wembley – the Grecians lost to Morecambe in the Conference play-off final in May 2007 but won a year later against Cambridge United, also in the Conference play-off final – both games were managed by current boss Paul Tisdale.

In four of the last seven seasons, the side finishing seventh in League Two has won promotion – Dagenham & Redbridge in 2010, Crewe Alexandra in 2012, Bradford City in 2013 and Wimbledon last season.

However, the side finishing fifth has won promotion just four times in the previous 30 seasons of the fourth tier play-offs – Peterborough United in 2000, Cheltenham Town in 2006, Gillingham in 2009 and Southend United in 2015.

Mark Cullen has had a hand in 13 goals in his last 14 games for Blackpool (nine goals, four assists), including five over the two legs of the play-off semi-finals (three goals, two assists).

Blackpool v Exeter City: Sky Bet odds

Exeter are the slight favourites with Sky Bet at 6/4 to secure victory at Wembley which will seal promotion to Sky Bet League One. Blackpool are priced at 9/5 to win in 90 minutes, while a draw and subsequently extra-team is at 23/10. The first goal scorer market is even tighter with Grecians pair David Wheeler and Ollie Watkins priced at 5/1 just edging the Tangerines duo of Kyle Vassell and Mark Cullen, who trade at 11/2 apiece to bag the game’s opening goal. 

Click for Sky Bet's Blackpool v Exeter City odds!