Who will make play-off finals?

By Steve Claridge BBC Sport football pundit

The Football League play-offs start on Friday, with two teams from the Championship, League One and League Two hoping to secure promotion with victory in their divisional final at Wembley.

Steve Claridge, who scored the winning goal for Leicester in the 1996 Championship play-off final and made 1,000 league and cup appearances, gives BBC Sport his verdict on this season's play-offs.

THE CHAMPIONSHIP

Crystal Palace v Bristol City

Verdict: Crystal Palace - but I would not put any money on it.

First leg result: Crystal Palace 1-2 Bristol City

Second leg result: Bristol City 2-1 Crystal Palace (agg 4-2)

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Watford v Hull City

Verdict: Hull, as they have been in better recent form.

First leg result: Watford 0-2 Hull

Second leg result: Hull 4-1 Watford (agg 6-1)

LEAGUE ONE

Southend v Doncaster

Doncaster had automatic promotion in their grasp until they lost at Cheltenham on the final day of the season, so it might be an advantage for them to play away in the first leg.

Rovers have come a long way in a short space of time and in manager Sean O'Driscoll, they have a manager who knows the division.

O'Driscoll also has experience of winning the play-offs after guiding Bournemouth to promotion from League Two in 2003.

He will make sure his players are in the right frame of mind for the tie.

I have seen Southend a few times this season and they are a good footballing side.

The line up 4-4-2, play with width and have some excellent midfielders. I think that the key to this tie depends on his much they can hurt Donny up front.

Verdict: Southend.

First leg result: Southend 0-0 Doncaster

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Leeds United v Carlisle United

Verdict: Leeds United, their crowd could prove to be a real factor.

First leg result: Leeds 1-2 Carlisle

Second leg result: Carlisle 0-2 Leeds (agg 2-3)

LEAGUE TWO

Darlington v Rochdale

Darlington lost their last three home games and so I think their crowd will have a big part to play in this tie.

They will have to be patient and realise that ties are rarely settled in the first leg.

It might be that Darlington try to keep it tight in the first leg and focus on not conceding.

Darlington probably have a better and bigger squad, but there is something about Rochdale.

Occasionally you get teams that overachieve, have a good belief and possess one or two players that surprise you.

Verdict: Rochdale to sneak it as they are in better form

First leg result: Darlington 2-1 Rochdale

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Wycombe v Stockport

Wycombe striker Scott McGleish has scored 26 League Two goals and is a very important player for them, but I think they are a strong all-round side.

They have always been associated with good football and I think they are quite good to watch.

I saw Stockport at non-League Staines in an FA Cup game earlier in the season. Stockport were awful and lost 4-3 on penalties.

I cannot get that game out of my head but they have obviously not played like that all season.

I'm probably just going to tip Wycombe but it is a close call.

Of all the teams in the play-offs only Palace are in really good form and it would not surprise me if all six of my predictions turn out to be wrong.

Verdict: Wycombe

First leg result: Wycombe 1-1 Stockport

Steve Claridge was talking to BBC Sport's Paul Fletcher.