League Two Playoff Final Prediction
Notts County vs Salford City Prediction, Team News & Betting Tips
Notts County and Salford City meet at Wembley in the League Two playoff final, with both clubs chasing promotion to League One on Bank Holiday Monday.
Match Details
- Fixture: Notts County vs Salford City
- Competition: League Two Playoff Final
- Date: Monday, 25 May 2026
- Venue: Wembley Stadium
- Main angle: League One promotion decider
Notts County vs Salford City Prediction: Match Preview
Notts County: One match from another Wembley promotion
Notts County had the chance to secure automatic promotion on the final day of the regular League Two season, but a draw against Bristol Rovers left them fifth and forced them into the playoff route.
Martin Paterson’s side then showed their resilience in the semi-finals, edging past Chesterfield over two tight legs. Jayden Luker scored the only goal of the tie, sending the Magpies back to Wembley and keeping alive their bid to return to League One for the first time since 2015.
The club’s recent history gives this final extra meaning. Notts County dropped out of the English Football League in 2019 after a period of financial instability and uncertainty, but their revival since then has been impressive. Promotion now would represent another major step in the rebuild.
There is also positive Wembley history to draw on. Notts County secured promotion at the national stadium only a few years ago, and that experience should help the club handle the scale of the occasion.
Form, however, is not perfect. The Magpies have won only two of their last eight matches, a run that included a heavy 4-0 defeat to promoted Cambridge United and a loss to Salford. Paterson will know that his side cannot afford to start slowly against a team that has already beaten them twice this season.
In attack, Alassana Jatta will be central. The forward is set for his 32nd appearance of the season and has scored 15 goals, while Tom Iorpenda and semi-final match-winner Luker should offer support in the final third.
Salford City: Dramatic route to Wembley
Salford City’s rise over the last decade has been rapid, and this Wembley final is one of the biggest occasions in the club’s history. Since the Class of 92 takeover, the Ammies have climbed quickly through the divisions, but League Two has proved a longer-term challenge.
They missed out on automatic promotion on the final day and were forced into the playoffs, but Karl Robinson’s side responded by surviving a dramatic semi-final against Grimsby Town.
Salford won the first leg 2-1 at Blundell Park, only to lose the return fixture by the same scoreline. That forced extra time, where Kallum Cesay scored a 117th-minute winner to send the Ammies to Wembley.
It was an emotional moment for Cesay, who scored twice across the tie after the recent loss of his father. His contribution has already become a defining part of Salford’s playoff story.
The head-to-head record will give Salford confidence. They beat Notts County 2-1 in both regular-season meetings, winning at Meadow Lane and again at the Peninsula Stadium. That double proves Robinson’s side know how to hurt the Magpies.
Salford’s form is also steadier. They are unbeaten in the form sequence provided, and their ability to handle the pressure of extra time against Grimsby should give them belief that they can manage another tight, high-stakes occasion.
Form Guide
Notts County League Two form: L L W D W D
Salford City League Two form: D W W D W D
Notts County have shown playoff discipline, but their broader form is patchy. Salford arrive with stronger momentum and two regular-season wins over the Magpies, although the extra-time semi-final may have taken more out of them physically.
Notts County vs Salford City Team News
Notts County team news
Notts County have the advantage of avoiding extra time in their semi-final, and Paterson should be able to name a strong side at Wembley.
There are no major concerns over Jodi Jones, who was withdrawn early against Chesterfield. The issue is not thought to be serious, and he is expected to start.
Jones should operate in a midfield four behind a front three of Tom Iorpenda, Alassana Jatta and Jayden Luker. Jatta will look to add to his 15-goal tally, while Luker enters the final with confidence after deciding the semi-final.
The Magpies remain without Lewis Macari in defence.
Notts County possible starting lineup:
Belshaw; Ness, McDonald, Bedeau; Tsaroulla, Norburn, Robertson, Jones; Iorpenda, Jatta, Luker
Salford City team news
Salford report no fresh injury concerns despite being taken to extra time by Grimsby in the semi-finals.
The long gap between matches should help Robinson’s side recover fully, and the Ammies boss may choose to stick with the same core that secured the Wembley place.
Salford will be without Jorge Grant, Ossama Ashley and Zach Awe. Kadeem Harris has returned to the bench after injury and could offer an option if needed.
Fabio Borini and Ben Woodburn both featured in extra time and may push for starts, although major changes are unlikely in a final.
Salford City possible starting lineup:
Young; Mnoga, Oluwo, Cooper, Garbutt; Graydon, Butcher, Austerfield, N’Mai; Cesay, Udoh
Key Stats and Betting Angles
- Notts County reached the final by beating Chesterfield 1-0 on aggregate.
- Salford City beat Grimsby Town 4-3 on aggregate after extra time.
- Jayden Luker scored the decisive goal in Notts County’s semi-final tie.
- Kallum Cesay scored Salford’s 117th-minute winner against Grimsby.
- Salford beat Notts County 2-1 in both regular-season meetings.
- Notts County have won only two of their last eight matches.
- Alassana Jatta has scored 15 goals this season.
- Salford are aiming for promotion from League Two for the first time.
- Notts County are chasing a return to League One for the first time since 2015.
- Karl Robinson has described this as the biggest occasion in Salford’s history.
Notts County vs Salford City Betting Tips
The main betting angle is Both Teams to Score. Salford have already beaten Notts County twice this season, but the Magpies have enough attacking threat through Jatta, Luker and Jones to make this competitive.
Salford Draw No Bet also appeals because of their stronger recent form and head-to-head record. However, Wembley finals often become tight, and Notts County’s semi-final defensive discipline should not be ignored.
- Main pick: Both Teams to Score
- Value angle: Salford City Draw No Bet
- Correct score: Notts County 1-2 Salford City
Notts County vs Salford City Prediction
This Notts County vs Salford City prediction leans towards Salford lifting themselves to League One. Notts County have Wembley experience and a dangerous attack, but their recent form has been inconsistent.
Salford’s double over Notts County during the regular season is difficult to overlook, and the way they survived the emotional semi-final against Grimsby suggests they have enough resilience for another high-pressure match.
Expect a close final, but Robinson’s side may have the sharper edge in the decisive moments.
Likely result: Salford City win
Correct score prediction: Notts County 1-2 Salford City
Best betting angle: Both Teams to Score / Salford City Draw No Bet