League One play-off final guide

As Barnsley and Millwall prepare to do battle for a place in the Championship, we bring you the ultimate guide to the Sky Bet League One play-off final, which is live on Sky Sports.

Neil Harris’s Lions are looking for an instant return to the second tier after their relegation at the end of the 2014/15 season, while the Tykes – back under the arch after winning the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy – have spent two terms in League One. 

So how did they make it to Wembley, what are their previous experiences in the play-offs and who does Sky Sports Football League expert Ian Holloway think will have the edge on Sunday? Read on to find out…

How did they make it here?

It’s been a stunning turnaround for Barnsley. They were bottom of the table in December but a resurgent run – which continued after Lee Johnson left in February for Bristol City – saw them sneak into the final play-off place on a dramatic final day, edging out Scunthorpe on goal difference. 

The Tykes played Walsall in their semi-final tie and despite the Saddlers only missing out on automatic promotion by a point, Barnsley were firmly in control throughout.

They won the first leg at Oakwell 3-0 thanks to a Sam Winnall double and Jason Demetriou’s own goal, before cruising at the Banks’s Stadium, a 6-1 aggregate score sending them to Wembley for the second time this season.

Millwall were in the promotion mix for most of the season – finishing third on 81 points – and faced Bradford in their semi-final. The Lions outclassed their opponents during a 3-1 win at Valley Parade – including a stunning free-kick from Joe Martin – with a draw at The Den enough to see them into the finale.

Play-off previous

Millwall can certainly be dubbed play-off veterans – but memories haven’t always been happy. After failed attempts in 1991,1994, 2000, 2004 and 2009, they finally made the breakthrough in the 2009/10 season.

The Lions beat Swansea City 1-0 in the League One play-off final to return to the Championship after a four year absence, with current boss Harris playing the full 90 minutes.

Barnsley’s modern-era play-off appearances have yielded one win and one defeat.

They lost to Ipswich Town in the 1999/00 Division One final – the last to played at the old Wembley – but triumphed in 2005/06 when they beat Swansea 4-3 on penalties (2-2 AET) at the Millennium Stadium – one of which was taken by current caretaker manager Paul Heckingbottom – as they sealed a return to the Championship.

The Tykes have also already tasted Wembley success this term, winning the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy after beating …

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