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    Jack Wilshere released by Bournemouth after failed Premier League promotion as stuttering career takes new twist

    JACK WILSHERE has been released by Bournemouth – bringing his second spell with the club to an end. Wilshere rejoined the Cherries in January, four years after he first left, and played 17 times for the club, scoring twice. 
    Jack Wilshere has been released by BournemouthCredit: Reuters
    He helped Bournemouth reach the play-offs after finishing sixth, but they were beaten by Brentford over two legs.
    Facing another season in the Championship, the Cherries confirmed Wilshere’s departure but wished him all the best.
    A statement read: “A class act on and off the pitch.
    “We’d like to thank Jack Wilshere for his efforts since returning to the club and wish him all the best moving forward.”
    Wilshere, 29, joined Bournemouth from West Ham, where he failed to make an impact having struggled with injuries.
    The former Arsenal star was a fixture in the Cherries midfield, but now admitted he does not know what the future holds.
    Wilshere posted on Instagram: “Thank you to everyone @officialafcb for the last five months.
    “My teammates, All the staff and especially the fans. You were amazing last time and continued to support me this time.

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    “Being honest, i don’t know if this is the end. The coming weeks will tell.
    “Unfortunately we didn’t reach our goal of promotion but there is plenty of positives and experience to take into next year to get this club back where it belongs!
    “Have a good summer.” More

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    FA confirm 2,000 extra Championship play-off final tickets in huge boost to Swansea and Brentford fans

    THE FA have confirmed that an extra 2,000 tickets have been made available for the Championship play-off final on Saturday.Brentford and Swansea City will do battle at Wembley for a place in the Premier League.
    Wembley will have 12,000 fans for the Championship play-off final between Brentford and Swansea City on SaturdayCredit: Reuters
    In accordance with government guidelines, the match’s original attendance was due to be capped at 10,000, with each club receiving an allocation of 4,000.
    But, after extensive lobbying by the EFL, an extra 2,000 fans will be admitted into the 90,000-seater ground – taking the overall attendance to 12,000.
    This is because event organisers have agreed to take part in a new pilot, as the NHS app is trialled.
    The extra 2,000 tickets have been assigned equally to the clubs involved.
    And supporters with these tickets will have to download the new NHS app – not to be mixed up with the existing NHS COVID-19 app.
    Upon entry, those with these tickets will be asked to show proof of a verified NHS app, which aims to demonstrate their Covid status.
    An EFL spokesperson said: “Having moved our Play-Off schedule to align with the Government’s move to Step 3 protocols and enable fans to attend, we look forward to welcoming supporters back to Wembley at the eagerly anticipated Sky Bet EFL Play-Off Finals, after a season behind closed doors.
    “While the small increase in the Championship Final is welcome, we would of course have preferred to admit fans in much greater numbers, but like other public events are subject to the Government’s Step 3 guidance.
    Swansea fans were back at the Liberty for their semi-final win over BarnsleyCredit: Rex
    Brentford fans cheered their side to victory over BournemouthCredit: Rex
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    “Unfortunately, the Play-Offs were not selected to operate as a pilot event as part of the Government’s Events Research Programme – despite a request from the EFL on behalf of the Clubs involved and their supporters – which meant that achieving significantly greater capacities at all three Finals was not possible.
    “The EFL shares the disappointment of the Clubs and their supporters that many fans will be absent but we will continue to liaise with the Government in the coming weeks as we pursue our aspiration of a return to full stadia for the start of next season.”
    Of the total 12,000 in attendance, each club will have 5,000 supporters each, with the remaining 2,000 seats being dished out to sponsors and Club Wembley members.
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    Blackburn striker Ben Brereton, born in Stoke, gets shock CHILE call-up to link up with Man Utd flop Alexis Sanchez

    BLACKBURN ace Ben Brereton received a shock call-up to Chile on Monday night.The Stoke-born forward, 22, qualifies for the South American nation through his mother who was born there and he will link up with Manchester United flop Alexis Sanchez.
    Blackburn ace Ben Brereton has been called up for ChileCredit: Simon Whitehead/News Images
    Brereton has represented England at Under-20 level but has been on La Roja’s radar since the end of last year.
    He produced his best season to date with seven goals and five assists for Rovers this term.
    And that has been rewarded by being named in Martin Lasarte’s squad for their June World Cup qualifiers against Argentina and Bolivia.
    Brereton will link up with Sanchez who has a staggering 44 goals in 133 games for his nation.
    Well known stars Claudio Bravo, Arturo Vidal and Gary Medel have also been called up.
    The coastal nation sit sixth in the South American qualifying group for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Lasarte’s side are eight points behind group leaders Brazil.
    Chile’s next game is against Argentina on June 3 before they host Bolivia in the capital Santiago five days after.
    If he impresses, former Nottingham Forest star Brereton could be picked for this summer’s Copa America which takes place in Argentina in June and July, and follow on the footsteps of legends Ivan Zamarano and Marcelo Salas.
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    Chile – who won the tournament in 2015 and 2016 – will face Argentina, Bolivia, Uruguay and Paraguay in the group stage.
    Blackburn finished 15th in this season’s Championship.
    The former Premier League winners beat Birmingham 5-2 on the final day.
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    Swansea 1 Barnsley 1 (2-1 agg): Steve Cooper’s side cling on to set up Wembley showdown with Brentford after early scare

    SWANSEA booked their ticket to face Brentford at Wembley after seeing off dogged Barnsley at the Liberty Stadium.Steve Cooper’s side were in the driving seat from the first leg, having come back from Yorkshire with a priceless 1-0 advantage.
    Matt Grimes curls Swansea into the leadCredit: PA
    Swansea celebrate taking a 2-0 aggregate leadCredit: Rex
    Cauley Woodrow wheels away after handing Barnsley a lifelineCredit: PA
    And skipper Matt Grimes’ beautiful left-footed effort on the stroke of half-time seemed to have made it comfortable for the Swans.
    But Brentford’s rousing comeback against Bournemouth earlier in the day proved that nothing can be taken for granted in the play-offs.
    And Barnsley proved to make it difficult after all, with Cauley Woodrow hauling the Tykes back into the game in the 71st minute, as he swept home a crisp right-footed effort.
    Barnsley knocked on the door, but Cooper’s side managed to hold on, moving one step closer to returning to the Premier League after three years away.
    They will now face the Bees under the Wembley arch on May 29, in the ‘richest game in football’.
    After the game, Swans skipper and goalscorer Matt Grimes told Sky Sports: “It wasn’t the prettiest game but we got the job done and dug in at the end.
    “It means the world to me [to score] but to get us to Wembley and the chance of promotion is what it was all about.
    “The fans were different class and it was great to get them back.
    Returning Swans fans cheered on their teamCredit: PA
    Both managers kicked every ball on the touchlineCredit: Rex
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    “In that last 20 minutes they threw the kitchen sink at us and we had to dig deep.
    “We’ve come a long way under Steve Cooper in the last few years. We play good stuff when we need to but we also showed we can dig deep.
    “We have the perfect blend, loads of experience and top players.”
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    Swansea vs Barnsley LIVE: Stream, score, TV channel, team news and kick-off time – Championship play-off latest updates

    SWANSEA welcome Barnsley to South Wales tonight for the second leg of their Championship play-off.The Swans have a one-goal advantage going into this match, with the winners to face Brentford at Wembley next weekend.

    Kick-off time: 6.30pm GMT

    Follow ALL the build-up and action with our live blog below…

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    Swansea hold a slender advantage going into the clash in South WalesCredit: Getty
    Which TV channel and live stream can I watch it on?
    You can catch all of the drama live on Sky Sports Football.
    Coverage will begin at 6pm.
    If you’re not a Sky subscriber, you can stream on your mobile, tablet, PC or games console by getting a NOW TV pass from £9.99.

    What is the team news?
    After victory in South Yorkshire, there are no fresh injury concerns for the Swans.
    Wayne Routledge will hope to start after coming off the bench at Oakwell, but Steve Cooper could opt for the same starting XI.
    Alex Mowatt returned from injury for Barnsley in the first leg and suffered no setbacks.
    TEAM NEWS
    Steve Cooper has no new injury concerns, while his Barnsley counterpart Valerien Ismael decided on his starting XI on Friday morning. It’s thought Carlton Morris could be in contention to come into Ismael’s team.
    “I think we have a lot of possibilities, and it is always a possibility that Carlton starts the game,” said Ismael.
    GOOD EVENING FROM THE LIBERTY STADIUM
    It’s advantage Swansea as they host Barnsley in the second leg of the Championship play-off final. The Swans won 1-0 at Oakwell in midweek thanks to a beauty of a goal from Andre Ayew.
    Tonight’s game will see 3,000 fans return to the Liberty Stadium for the first time in 443 days.
    “It was great to have supporters back in the stadium [in the first leg],” said Swans boss Steve Cooper. “There was a great atmosphere. It felt real again. 
    “It was a reminder to us all how important supporters are and how much we’ve missed having spectators in the ground.
    “Now we’ve got the opportunity to do the same in our own stadium. It’s something to really look forward to. 
    “It’s been long overdue. It is something to look forward to and to cherish. We’re excited about it.
    “We’ve got to get motivated to play well in front of the fans. 
    “We’ve definitely missed them. It hasn’t been the same without them. I think it’ll be more positive going forward when we get full crowds back. We’ve got to really focus in on giving the supporters something to cheer.”

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    Brentford 3 Bournemouth 1 LIVE REACTION: Bees complete epic comeback to reach play-off final – latest updates

    BRENTFORD made it to their second successive play-off final thanks to a brilliant comeback win against Bournemouth in the semis this afternoon.The Cherries went 1-0 up early through Danjuma but goals from Toney, Janelt and Forss, after Mepham was sent off for the away side, completely a brilliant turnaround.

    RESULT: Brentford 3 Bournemouth 1
    Brentford XI: 1 Raya; 22 Dalsgaard, 18 Jansson (c), 5 Pinnock, 6 Norgaard, 7 Canos; 27 Janelt, 8 Jensen; 19 Mbuemo, 9 Marcondes; 17 ToneyBournemouth XI: 1 Begovic (c); 15 Smith, 6 Mepham, 18 Carter-Vickers, 5 Kelly; 8 Lerma, 22 Pearson; 29 Billing, 10 Danjuma, 7 Brooks; 9 Solanke

    Follow ALL the action with our live blog below…

    EXPLAINED: DO AWAY GOALS COUNT IN THE EFL PLAY-OFFS?
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    THAT’S ALL FOR NOW
    Well, Brentford are in the Championship play-off final for the second year in a row.
    But they have to wait until later today to find who they’ll be facing when Swansea take on Barnsley.
    Surely now’s the time for Brentford to finally get promoted to the Premier League?
    We’ll be covering the second leg clash here at SunSport later today so keep an eye out for it!
    Have a good one.
    BEES BUZZING
    BRENTFORD are just one win away from the Premier League after a stunning play-off turnaround against Bournemouth.
    Thomas Frank’s side came from two goals behind in this rollercoaster semi-final to beat the ten-man Cherries 3-2 on aggregate.
    Now they will take on either Swansea or Barnsley for a £100m-plus shoot-out at Wembley next weekend for a place in the top-flight.
    Trailing 1-0 from the first leg on the South Coast, Brentford’s day got off to the worst possible start on five minutes when Arnaut Danjuma caught them on the counter to break the deadlock.
    Read More: Brentford 3 Bournemouth 1 (3-2 Agg) Match Report
    TONEY’S THOUGHTS
    Here’s what goal-scorer Toney had to say after the game.

    FULL-TIME STATS
    Brentford dominated the game!

    FORSS ON TARGET
    Forss scored the winner!

    FT: BRENTFORD 3-1 BOURNEMOUTH (3-2 AGG)
    Well, Brentford boss Thomas Frank’s pre-game prediction of 3-0 was CLOSE!
    His team came out for the second half with their tails up, chasing a second goal to draw the game level on aggregate.
    And it was Janelt who would get the goal for Brentford in the 50th minute.
    The German raced onto a loose ball and sent a left footed strike into the top-left corner.
    Frank threw on attacker after attacker in search of a third goal in order to prevent the game from going to extra time.
    And it was substitute Forss who stabbed home Morcondes’ low cross to win the game for the Bees!
    Brentford are on their way to Wembley AGAIN for the second season in a row.
    This time there will be fans at Wembley, the people Toney describes as “the 12th man”.
    PEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!
    THE FULL-TIME WHISTLE GOES IN WEST LONDON!
    BRENTFORD ARE ON THEIR WAY TO WEMBLEY AGAIN!
    BRENTFORD 3-1 BOURNEMOUTH (3-2 AGG)
    90+3. YELLOW CARD!
    Stacey is booked late on.
    BRENTFORD 3-1 BOURNEMOUTH (3-2 AGG)
    90+1. Begovic heads a well-delivered cross wide, but the flag is up against him for offside.
    BRENTFORD 3-1 BOURNEMOUTH (3-2 AGG)
    90. The fourth official holds his board up and there will be four additional minutes played.
    Begovic is up for a Bournemouth corner.
    BRENTFORD 3-1 BOURNEMOUTH (3-2 AGG)
    89. SUBSTITUTION!
    Mbuemo leaves the pitch to a standing ovation. He has been absolutely FANTASTIC today.
    If you remember, he missed an absolute sitter in the first leg – but he’s more than made up for it.
    He is replaced by Bidstrup.
    BRENTFORD 3-1 BOURNEMOUTH (3-2 AGG)
    87. Brentford remain firmly in control of the game, and there seems like no way back into the game for Bournemouth.
    The red card has taken its toll on Woodgate’s side.
    Forss gets the beating of Carter-Vickers to steer the ball past BegovicCredit: GETTY IMAGES
    Scenes at the Brentford Community StadiumCredit: GETTY IMAGES
    BRENTFORD 3-1 BOURNEMOUTH (3-2 AGG)
    85. Brentford don’t look like they’re finished at three! They’re searching for a fourth goal.
    BRENTFORD 3-1 BOURNEMOUTH (3-2 AGG)
    83. SUBSTITUTION!
    Long is on for Smith. Bournemouth are going for it.
    BRENTFORD 3-1 BOURNEMOUTH (3-2 AGG)
    81. A long, diagonal ball is played into Bournemouth’s penalty area but Smith gets his head on the ballcfirst.
    Marcondes recovers the ball for Brentford and gets to the byline before driving a low cross into the six-yard box.
    And Forss instictively sticks a leg out and sends the ball flying past Begovic!
    Are Brentford heading to Wembley for the second season in a row?!
    GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!
    FORSS SCORES FOR BRENTFORD!!!!!!!!
    BRENTFORD TAKE THE LEAD ON AGGREGATE!!!!!!!!
    BRENTFORD 2-1 BOURNEMOUTH (2-2 AGG)
    79. SUBSTITUTION!
    Canos’ afternoon comes to an end and he is replaced by Fosu at left wing-back.
    BRENTFORD 2-1 BOURNEMOUTH (2-2 AGG)
    78. YELLOW CARD!
    Begovic catches the corner but is held off by Jansson and the Brentford captain is booked as a result.
    BRENTFORD 2-1 BOURNEMOUTH (2-2 AGG)
    77. Dalsgaard lays the ball off to Marcondes on the edge of Bournemouth’s penalty area.
    Marcondes shifts the ball onto his right foot and unleashing a powerful curling effort towards the far post.
    But Begovic tips the ball behind for a Brentford corner.
    Canos and Smith clashCredit: GETTY IMAGES
    BRENTFORD 2-1 BOURNEMOUTH (2-2 AGG)
    75. SUBSTITUTION!
    Woodgate brings off an attacker in Solanke, for right-back Stacey. Interesting move.
    Are Bournemouth looking to hold out past extra-time to take the game to penalties?
    BRENTFORD 2-1 BOURNEMOUTH (2-2 AGG)
    73. CHANCE!
    Canos cuts inside off the left flank and floats a cross towards the far post.
    Mbuemo peels off the back of his marker, rises highest and nods the ball down into the path of Toney.
    But Carter-Vickers gets in the way and clears for the Cherries! Huge clearance!
    BRENTFORD 2-1 BOURNEMOUTH (2-2 AGG)
    71. Mbuemo’s corner almost falls to Marcondes at the back post, but the attacking midfielder just misses the ball.
    BRENTFORD 2-1 BOURNEMOUTH (2-2 AGG)
    70. Rico concedes a corner. Mbuemo to take.
    BRENTFORD 2-1 BOURNEMOUTH (2-2 AGG)
    69. Dalsgaard threads the ball through to Mbeumo.
    The Frenchman cuts the ball back towards the edge of the box with a first-time cross.
    Toney sends a volley towards goal but he fails to tame his effort and the shot sails over the crossbar.
    BRENTFORD 2-1 BOURNEMOUTH (2-2 AGG)
    67. Kelly accidentally steps on Begovic’s foot and the keeper theatrically goes down.
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    Brentford 3 Bournemouth 1 (3-2 agg): Bees reach Championship play-off final after thrilling comeback vs 10-man Cherries

    MARCUS FORSS fired Brentford to a Wembley play-off final for the second year running after a brilliant comeback win in West London.The half-time sub had barely had a kick before he was in the right place at the right time to convert an Emiliano Marcondes cross from the left with 10 minutes left.
    Brentford have booked their place at Wembley after a stunning comeback against BournemouthCredit: Ken Sparks/UK Sports Pics Ltd
    Marcus Forss scored the decisive goal in the thrilling tie with nine minutes leftCredit: Getty
    The Bees are now just one win away from the Premier LeagueCredit: Rex
    Arnaut Danjuma put Bournemouth into the lead and two goals ahead in the tie early onCredit: Rex
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    Finnish striker Forss had only scored twice in his previous 32 games – but his goal yesterday means the Bees will be playing for a place in the Premier League next Saturday.
    Everything was going so well for Bournemouth when Arnaut Danjuma fired them in front after just five minutes to give them a 2-0 aggregate lead.
    But the Bees hit back with an Ivan Toney penalty on 16 minutes after Lloyd Kelly handled.
    Chris Mepham was then sent off for pulling down Bryan Mbeumo and the 10 men Cherries were eventually overpowered after the break with goals from Vitaly Janelt and Forss.
    The Bees – beaten by Fulham last year in the Championship showpiece – will hope its 10th time lucky, having failed to win promotion in nine previous play-off attempts.
    Brentford have not played in the top flight since 1947 but they go into next weekend’s final as favourites.
    The Bees were hyped up for this with boss Thomas Frank doing a lap before kick-off urging the fans to raise the noise levels.
    But it all went flat as Bournemouth moved in front.
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    Brentford did not leave a single player back while taking a corner and got caught on the break.
    Danjuma picked up the loose ball in the centre circle and had a free run before shooting past David Raya.
    It was criminal tactics from the Bees so early in the match and left them with a mountain to climb.
    But suddenly Brentford were back in it when Emiliano Marcondes saw his cross handled by Lloyd Kelly as he tried to block and referee Jarred Gillett pointed to the spot.
    It was a big call from the official and Ivan Toney made no mistake by levelling from the resulting penalty.
    The Brentford striker and Asmir Begovic were both booked after having an altercation when the Cherries keeper held on to the ball to prevent the kick-off being taken quickly.
    It was Toney’s 32nd goal of the season – and his 10th from the spot.
    And Bournemouth were reduced to 10 men in the 28th minute.
    Ivan Toney then levelled the score on the day from the spot with a controversial penaltyCredit: Rex
    Chris Mepham was then sent-off for Bournemouth to leave them a man down for over an hourCredit: Getty
    Defender Mepham stumbled as he got dispossessed by Bryan Mbeumo and deliberately hauled him down with a rugby-style tackle as he was set to race clear on goal.
    Boss Jonathan Woodgate immediately made a change by bringing on Diego Rico for David Brooks.
    The Bees almost moved in front when Toney got clear of Kelly but shot wide with just the keeper to beat.
    And Toney also headed tamely from a Sergi Canos cross when well placed.
    Rico made a goal-saving clearance from under his own crossbar after Ethan Pinnock’s long throw was headed on by Henrik Dalsgaard with Begovic flapping.
    Bournemouth were appealing for a penalty when Philip Billing’s header hit Pinnock’s arm – but ref Gillett waved away the protests.
    Dalsgaard went for goal with an audacious free-kick from just inside the Bournemouth half – but Begovic was able to get back and hold the ball comfortably.
    Brentford made a switch at the break – bringing on striker Forss for right-back Mads Roerslev.
    Vitaly Janelt then got Brentford level on aggregate moments into the second halfCredit: Getty
    And the Bees swiftly moved in front on the day and levelled the score on aggregate five minutes into the second half.
    Ben Pearson was only able to half clear a cross and Vitaly Janelt let fly a brilliant 25-yard effort that took a deflection to beat Begovic.
    Brentford were appealing for a penalty when Mbeumo appeared to be brought down by Cameron Carter-Vickers – with the ball eventually finding its way back to the Bees ace who shot wide.
    Ref Gillett correctly turned down the Bees’ shouts.
    Frank went even more attacking by throwing on Saman Ghoddos for Janelt.
    Toney missed a sitter by his standards when he was found by a lovely cross from Mbeumo – but his volley cleared the bar.
    The star striker then completely miscued his header when well placed.
    Dalsgaard forced Begovic into a good save after curling an effort from the edge of the box.
    The pressure then finally proved to be too much as Forss got the decisive goal late onCredit: Getty
    Tariqe Fou came on for the last 12 minutes for Canos.
    And the Bees moved in front in the tie with 10 minutes left.
    Emiliano Marcondes whipped in a perfect cross from the left for Forss to fire home from close range.
    Bournemouth – who had been time wasting from the moment they opener the scoring – suddenly found some urgency, throwing up even keeper Begovic as they searched for a leveller.
    But the Bees held firm and Frank and his players celebrated with the fans as The Beatles’ classic Hey Jude rung out.
    ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
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    Swansea vs Barnsley: Live stream, TV channel, kick-off time and team news for Championship playoff clash

    SWANSEA take a priceless one-goal lead into their Championship playoff second leg against Barnsley.Andre Ayew’s strike at Oakwell separated the sides, with a place at Wembley at stake ahead of the second meeting.

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    Swansea hold a slender advantage going into the clash in South WalesCredit: Getty
    When is Swansea vs Barnsley?

    The second leg of this huge tie will be on Saturday, May 22.
    Kick-off is at 6.30pm.
    When the Tykes came here in the regular season,

    Which TV channel and live stream can I watch it on?
    You can catch all of the drama live on Sky Sports Football.
    Coverage will begin at 6pm.
    If you’re not a Sky subscriber, you can stream on your mobile, tablet, PC or games console by getting a NOW TV pass from £9.99.

    What is the team news?
    After victory in South Yorkshire, there are no fresh injury concerns for the Swans.
    Wayne Routledge will hope to start after coming off the bench at Oakwell, but Steve Cooper could opt for the same starting XI.
    Alex Mowatt returned from injury for Barnsley in the first leg and suffered no setbacks.
    Match odds

    Swansea to win – 17/10
    Draw – 21/10
    Barnsley victory – 13/8
    Swans to reach final – 2/7
    Tykes to qualify – 12/5

    *All odds from Paddy Power and correct at time of publication. More