Charlton Athletic and Leyton Orient make their respective short journeys across London this Sunday for the final fixture of the League One campaign, the weekend’s second promotion showdown. Sunderland and Sheffield United lock horns in the Championship showpiece a day earlier, before the League Two play-off final – which sees Johnnie Jackson’s Wimbledon take on West Midlanders Walsall – takes place on Monday afternoon.
Charlton overcame Wycombe Wanderers in a tense play-off semi-final, having already beaten the Chairboys on two occasions throughout the regular season. After a goalless draw at Adams Park in the first leg, the Addicks registered a 1-0 victory in London thanks to a late strike from the free-scoring Matt Godden. The experienced frontman’s 22nd goal of the season sparked wild celebrations at the Valley, but pre-empted a period of visible agony for Nathan Jones as he implored his players to hold on to their fragile lead. The Welshman sunk to his knees on the final whistle, as Charlton’s place in the final was confirmed.
In stark contrast to the division’s other play-off semi-final, Leyton Orient and Stockport County produced an action-packed encounter full of goals, drama, and controversy. A chaotic first leg at a boisterous Brisbane Road saw Charlie Kelman break the deadlock from a clear offside position, before two successfully converted penalties and a Fraser Horsfall header left the tie all-square at the midway point. The two sides still couldn’t be separated after a further 120 minutes at Edgley Park, resulting in a nerve-shredding penalty shootout. Northern Irish international Ethan Galbraith converted the all-important spot-kick, sending the travelling support into raptures.
So, what will happen at Wembley this Sunday?
We trawl through the facts and stats to provide you with a selection of data-driven betting tips, as you attempt to beat the bookie this weekend. Whether you are honing in on a particular goalscorer, eager to exploit the card markets, or just hoping to back the winner of the tie, our detailed betting guide will help you to wager with confidence.
Charlton Athletic v Leyton Orient, Sunday, 13:00 BST
Goals galore?
Although Matt Godden’s close-range finish was the only time they found their way onto the scoresheet during the entirety of their play-off semi-final tie, Charlton haven’t had any issues in front of goal this season. The Addicks have netted 68 times since the beginning of the campaign, having registered two or more goals in a single match on 22 separate occasions.
Leyton Orient have been even more clinical in the final third, having only scored fewer goals in the division than dominant champions Birmingham City. However, Richie Wellens’ men possess the worst defensive record of the four play-off competitors, conceding an average of more than one goal per game across their 46 league fixtures.
Therefore, don’t be surprised if we see plenty of goalmouth action this weekend.
Our tips
Both Teams to Score – Yes: 19/20
Who has the momentum?
Both teams come into this Sunday’s clash in decent form, having racked up a considerable number of points before successfully navigating their respective play-off ties.
Charlton lost just once in eight matches heading into the play-offs, succumbing 3-0 to eventual league runners-up Wrexham at the Racecourse Ground. The East Londoners were held to a 2-2 draw by Lincoln City in early April, but vital wins over Huddersfield and Wycombe cemented their top-six position.
After losing five on the bounce during a mid-season slump, Leyton Orient secured a place in the play-offs following an impressive late surge. The O’s won all five of their last five fixtures, netting a staggering 14 goals in the process.
Sunday’s opponents have faced each other on three occasions already this term, with Charlton winning both League One meetings between the pair. Leyton Orient did record a 2-0 victory at the Valley in the first knockout stage of the EFL trophy, but, given the low-profile nature of the competition, one would tend to give more credence to league results. The O’s haven’t beaten Charlton at Brisbane Road since Boxing Day 2023, when Grenadian international Omar Beckles grabbed the only goal of the tie.
Therefore, it seems the Addicks have a clear edge in this fixture.
Our tips
Double Chance – Charlton or Draw: 2/7
Charlton to lift the trophy: 8/13
Awaydays & Wembley Way
As the match will be contested at a neutral venue, reviewing each team’s away record gives us valuable insight into how events may unfold on Sunday afternoon. It’s also worth checking out how Charlton and Leyton Orient performed on their latest respective visits to Wembley, as the experience of competing in a major final – whether it produces a positive or negative outcome – often has an enduring impact on a club.
Leyton Orient have fared well on their travels this season, winning as many matches at other grounds as they have at Brisbane Road. Only three League One rivals accumulated more points in away fixtures than Orient this season, while only Wycombe Wanderers scored a greater number of goals as the visiting team.
Despite not quite being able to match Leyton Orient’s exploits, the Addicks have put in a series of solid displays away from the Valley. Having scored more goals than they’ve conceded on the road, Charlton know they can get a result without the backing of a partisan crowd.
This season’s League One play-off finalists will have contrasting emotions about their most recent trips to Wembley, although no player in either team's current squad was involved in these ties.
Back in 2014, Orient missed out on promotion to the Championship after suffering a heartbreaking defeat to Rotherham at the national stadium. Moses Odubajo and Dean Cox had given the North Londoners a 2-0 lead before the break, but a brace from former O’s striker Alex Revell took the game to extra-time. Rotherham keeper’ Adam Collin was the hero in the subsequent shootout, saving two spot-kicks to send the Millers into the second tier.
Just over two decades on from their classic encounter at the old Wembley, Charlton and Sunderland returned to the national stadium to contest the 2019 League One play-off final. The fixture wasn't quite as thrilling on this occasion, although an injury-time winner from German defender Patrick Bauer ensured it ended in dramatic fashion, as the Addicks prevailed over the Wearsiders once again.
Will Orient avenge their penalty woes this weekend, or will Charlton’s winning streak at Wembley come to an end?
Our tips
Charlton to win in 90 minutes: 23/20
Leyton Orient to win on penalties: 9/1
Are we set for late drama?
Remarkably, all of this season’s fixtures between Sunday’s promotion hopefuls have been decided in second-half injury time.
Former Luton midfielder Luke Berry scored at the death on the second weekend of the League One campaign, handing Charlton a narrow victory on home soil. Orient struck twice after the 90-minute mark in the aforementioned EFL Trophy tie at the Valley, as both Charlie Kelman and Dan Agyei applied finishing touches to sweeping counter-attacking moves.
Nevertheless, the pair’s most recent clash provided the most dramatic conclusion of all, as Charlton staged a miraculous stoppage-time comeback at Brisbane Road. Five minutes after Macaulay Gillesphey connected powerfully with Alex Gilbert’s corner to wipe out Orient’s lead, Kayne Ramsay headed home following another accurate set-piece delivery from the Irish playmaker.
Our tips
Goal to be scored after 72 minutes played: 5/6
Charlton to win after being behind: 10/1
Last team to score – Leyton Orient: 6/4
Aces in attack
We know both teams are capable of scoring plenty of goals, but which players will provide the attacking impetus this Sunday?
Leyton Orient’s Jamie Donley has recorded more assists than any other player in the division this term, setting up ten goals since arriving from Spurs on a year-long loan deal last summer. The Northern Irishman has also found the net eight times in his 39 league appearances, making him a real threat in the final third.
Having registered 23 goals so far this season, former American Under-20 international Charlie Kelman leads the League One scoring charts. The 23-year-old striker has also dispatched 55 shots on target, seven more than his closest rival in this bracket.
Affectionately nicknamed the ‘sniffer dog’ by fans and teammates alike, Matt Godden is currently in the best goalscoring form of his career. Before his play-off semi-final heroics against Wycombe, the ex-Coventry City forward hit eight goals in ten matches to help Charlton challenge for an automatic promotion place. One of these three players could be the difference maker at Wembley…
Our tips
Jamie Donley to score or assist: 2/1
First goalscorer – Charlie Kelman: 11/2
Matt Godden to score anytime: 7/4
Disciplinary matters
Neither Charlton or Leyton Orient have a particularly strong disciplinary record, having received a combined 196 bookings between them this season. Therefore, don’t be surprised if Chris Kavanagh brandishes several yellow cards amidst a supercharged atmosphere at Wembley.
Irish midfielder Conor Coventry could be one of those players who finds his way into Kavanagh’s notebook on Sunday afternoon, having committed 73 of Charlton’s 623 fouls (the most in the division) this term, amassing eleven yellow cards in the process. Leyton Orient duo Randell Williams and Omar Beckles are also players that may pick up cautions; combative full-back Williams has been booked on eight occasions, while long-serving centre-back Omar Beckles has committed a substantial 43 fouls this term.
Our Tips
Over 3.5 cards in the match: 5/6
Conor Coventry to receive a yellow card: 12/5
Randell Williams to receive a yellow card: 6/1
The odds, correct at the time of publication, are subject to change
All odds provided by bet365
The countdown is on…
Whatever happens on Sunday, we know both teams will give their all in pursuit of promotion. After a gruelling campaign in a notoriously difficult division, Charlton and Leyton Orient are relying on their key players – no less predatory marksmen Charlie Kelman and Matt Godden – to step up to the plate. A fascinating London derby awaits…