League Two playoff final tips: three key selections for Saturday's Wembley showdown

The final promotion place from League Two will be decided on Saturday when Mansfield meet Port Vale at Wembley - here's a selection of top tips.

Clough makes fourth trip to Wembley

Nigel Clough is no stranger to Wembley having been there twice as a player with Nottingham Forest, and as a manager with Sheffield United in an FA Cup semi-final.

Clough has overseen a transformation in fortunes this season with the Stags at one point separated from bottom spot only by goal difference.

The Stags were in with a real shout of automatic promotion before concluding the regular season with two draws to finish seventh.

Come the playoffs and they faced Northampton who had suffered final-day heartache following a freakish goal swing to Bristol Rovers.

They won both legs with a superb defensive performance in the second without the need for extra-time - although all the big shouts went their way which must have left the Cobblers questioning if the world was against them.

Now Clough’s side will visit the national stadium for the first time since 2011 when they lost the FA Trophy against Darlington in the final minute of extra-time.

Goals at both ends

Rhys Oates scored the opening goal against Northampton in the first leg after ending the season as the Stags’ top scorer with nine. 

Jordan Bowery and Stephen McLaughlin have been in fine form in front of goal with two in three games and three goals in four respectively.

Mansfield were the joint fourth-top scorers in League Two, but were at times leaky in defence with the second-highest number of goals conceded among the top seven, so both teams to score and over 2.5 goals appeals at 2.62.

Wembley Stadium hosts the League Two playoff final between Mansfield and Port Vale, with a place in League One up for grabs

Vale progress despite stumble

Port Vale were five points clear in the third automatic spot with four games remaining, only to lose three on the bounce.

They travelled to already-promoted Exeter on the final day where the only goal of the game by James Wilson secured fifth place and a playoff against Swindon.

The Robins won 2-1 in the first leg only for Wilson to score an early goal at Vale Park to bring the tie level. Wilson was on target once more as Vale won an epic penalty shootout although there were disgraceful scenes following the final whistle where Swindon players were jostled and – according to Robins boss Ben Garner – “verbally and physically abused”.

Vale manager Darrell Clarke had already been sent to the stands following a touchline scuffle and he is set to face his former club Mansfield on Saturday for whom he made more than 170 appearances.

Spirit and belief to see Vale through

Vale took four points in the two meetings between the teams in the regular season including a 3-1 win in March, coming from a goal down to claim a late win through a brace from Kian Harratt.

They have an unquenchable self-belief exemplified in their shoot-out win over Swindon where they held their nerve to progress despite having two of their first three penalties saved.

Recommended bets

BTTS/over 2.5 @ 2.62

Port Vale @ 2.8

Port Vale extra-time @ 9.4