The 2025 EFL League One Final is an all-London affair as Charlton Athletic take on Leyton Orient at Wembley Stadium on Sunday, May 25, with kick-off at 1:00 pm. Both clubs want to climb into the second tier, joining Birmingham City and Wrexham, who were promoted automatically.
Charlton Athletic, managed by Nathan Jones, finished fourth in the League One table this season, with a top-six finish always on the cards, according to football betting online. Matty Godden’s goals have been a huge help this term, and he happened to be the player to score the decisive goal to secure a place in the final.
Leyton Orient had somewhat of an up-and-down season. They were in the top six, out of it, and then returned to form to secure their place in the playoffs at the death. Like Charlton, Richie Wellens’ Orient side could rely on goals being scored, with Charlie Kelman their leading marksman.
Both Charlton and Leyton Orient come into the final in good form and with the belief that they can get the result required to win promotion to the Championship. But it’s not going to be easy, as it’s proven that both sides can beat each other on their day.
Charlton Athletic Season Review
Everything for Chalton changed when Nathan Jones arrived, as proven this season. Jones is an experienced manager with promotion on his CV, and under his leadership, he’s made the Addicks consistent performers, proven by their fourth-place finish in League One.
A striker who can score goals regularly is always going to be a crucial asset to any team, and that’s precisely what Matty Godden has been all season. His goals in the league and cup competitions have been vital. Combine Godden’s goals with Greg Docherty’s leadership, and you can see how Jones got things right.
In the playoff semi-finals. Charlton faced Wycombe Wanderers. The first leg at Adams Park finished 0-0, with Matty Godden’s 81st-minute goal in the return leg at The Valley sending the Addicks to Wembley. Jones celebrated by dropping to his knees in prayer as the full-time whistle approached.
Leyton Orient Season Review
Under the guidance of head coach Richie Wellens, who has been the O’s manager since 2022, Leyton Orient enjoyed a hugely successful League One campaign, which resulted in a sixth-place finish on 78 points. It was the club’s highest league finish in over a decade.
Charlie Kelman proved to be the difference on many occasions in 2024/25 for Orient. The striker contributed consistently throughout the season with goals, scoring over twenty in all competitions. On loan midfielder Jamie Donley was also a key performer and earned the EFL Young Player of the Month award in January.
In the League One playoff semi-finals, Orient were pitted against Stockport County, with it being Stockport who were expected to triumph as indicated by League One betting odds, due to them finishing higher in the table than Wellens’ side. However, following a 2-2 draw at Brisbane Road and a 1-1 draw after extra time at Edgeley Park, Orient won 4-1 on penalties to make the final.
What Happened When the Two Sides Met This Season?
During the 2024/25 season, Charlton Athletic and Leyton Orient not only met twice in League One, but they also faced each other in the EFL Trophy Second Round, with Charlton winning on two occasions and Leyton Orient once.
The two sides first met at The Valley last August in League One. Charlton triumphed 1-0, with a 90+2 goal from Luke Berry securing three points for the Addicks.
In December, the two teams once again played each other at The Valley, but this time in the EFL Trophy Second Round. This time, Leyton Orient ran out winners, with Charlie Kelman scoring on 90+3 and Daniel Agyei on 90+5, giving Orient a 2-0 win.
The final meeting between the two came in March at Brisbane Road. Orient took the lead in the 50th minute. However, Charlton staged a late comeback, with Macauley Gillesphey levelling on 90+2 and Kayne Ramsay bagging the winner on 90+7.
As the League One Playoff Final approaches, Charlton Athletic vs Leyton Orient is a match that will be fiercely contested. However, Charlton start as slight favourites because they’ve got the better of their opponents twice in the league, winning at home and away. Orient will take confidence from their win over the Addicks in the cup in December.
History in Playoff Finals
Charlton Athletic
The last time Charlton played in a playoff final at Wembley was in 2019, and they won. Charlton defeated Sunderland 2-1 to secure promotion to the Championship from League One. Their last appearance before that also saw them triumph at Wembley over Sunderland, this time 7-6 on penalties after a 4-4 draw in the 1998 First Division Playoff Final. Their record in playoff finals has been excellent.
Leyton Orient
Leyton Orient haven’t enjoyed their recent visits to Wembley Stadium when competing in playoff finals. In 2014, they lost to Rotherham United on penalties in the League One Playoff Final. They also lost in the Division Three Playoff Final at the Millennium Stadium to Blackpool 4-2, and to Scunthorpe United in 1999, 1-0 in the Division Three Playoff Final.
What to Expect
Charlton Athletic vs Leyton Orient should be an excellent tie for a playoff final if their three meetings in 2024/25 are anything to go by. Fixtures involving these two teams have been competitive, right until the end, as proven by the number of late goals scored. It’s a game where anything can happen at any time, so keep an eye on in-play betting for this one.
In terms of what to expect, it’s two teams, both with passionate managers, and both having defeated each other this season. Neither side will come into the match lacking confidence. Still, Charlton will fancy their chances because not only did they win both league fixtures, home and away, the Addicks also have an excellent record in these situations.
What will be really interesting is how the match plays out tactically, as both Nathan Jones and Richie Wellens can and do mix things up as and when required. Both have played with formations with four at the back and then also three at the back, so it will be intriguing to see how each approach the match and what changes they make during.
It’s also worth noting that Charlton and Leyton Orient have proven goalscorers leading the line, so expect goals.
Conclusion
As things stand, Charlton and Leyton Orient have played each other three times in 2024/25, with the Addicks winning two and Orient one. Will the League One Playoff Final go the way BetVictor sports betting suggests, with Nathan Jones’ side winning for a third time this term? Or, will Richie Wellens’ Orient throw a cat among the pigeons and upstage their opponents, making it to the Champions for the first time in their history? Expect intensity from the first whistle, on the pitch and the touchline.
