There’s a bumper weekend of action in the capital as the Papa John’s Trophy finals from both this season and last are due to be played behind closed doors.
It’s over a year since Portsmouth and Salford City booked their places in the 2019-20 finals, while Tranmere and Sunderland are set to contest the 2020-21 final as they take a break from their respective promotion bids.
Last season’s showpiece was initially postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic after the south-coast club had already sold 50,000 tickets.
Their loyal fans will now have to watch the League One play-off contenders attempt to retain the title from home.
Despite the final being from last season, the EFL confirmed this week that players signed since the summer will be able to take to the hallowed turf in north London.
Pompey are on a poor run in the league, winless in their last four and in danger of dropping out of the play-offs, but manager Kenny Jackett is still looking forward to the final positively.
He said: “The year before last against Sunderland was an amazing day when the place was full. Wembley is an amazing place to play, but it’s not the same without the fans.
“We’re just as keen to try and finish this tournament off now with a win on Saturday.”
Salford are going for their first trophy as an EFL club, as Richie Wellens looks to kick-start his reign in Greater Manchester.
The Red Devils are also out of form, winning just one of their last six in League Two.
Wellens said: “It’s a proud moment for the club and the players will embrace playing at such a stadium like Wembley but I think it’s more for the profile of the club.
“Even though you want the players to go and enjoy it, you can only enjoy it if you win the game.”
Just 24 hours later, the second final will take place as Sunderland and Tranmere, two clubs with plenty of recent memories of Wembley.
Rovers beat Boreham Wood and Newport County in successive play-off finals to move from the National League to League One, while Sunderland suffered a double dejection in 2019.
Lee Johnson’s side lost the final of this competition of Portsmouth, before losing out on an immediate return to the Championship as they were beaten by Charlton a couple of months later.
In stark contrast to Saturday’s final, both sides in action on Sunday are in good form and are charging towards the automatic promotion places in their respective divisions.
Tranmere haven’t let an injury to star striker James Vaughan affect them as they made it four wins in five at Southend in midweek, taking the Wirral club to within just two points of the summit.
Meanwhile, Johnson has transformed The Black Cats’ fortunes since he arrived at the Stadium of Light, with Charlie Wyke notching a staggering 16 goals in his last 15 games.
The north-east side have won their last three games to nil against Swindon, Rochdale and Portsmouth, with Wyke on the scoresheet in all three.
The stage is set for Wembley’s first finals since the Women’s FA Cup in November, with all four clubs looking for a much-needed boost as the battles for promotion intensify.
