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What history tells us about National League play-off final
After a season full of twists and turns, Boreham Wood and Rochdale are set to bring the National League curtain down on Sunday as Wembley Stadium showcases the 24th edition of the play-off final.
The Wood will be striving to make history by reaching the Football League for the first time in their 78-year history, led by the symbol of their identity, Luke Garrard.
As for Dale, they will be aiming to return to the EFL, having been relegated from League Two in 2023, in a journey that has seen them go from the brink of liquidation and back again.
But what do the history books tell us about the National League play-off final? DAZN News goes back in time to see if they can give us an inkling.
How have Boreham Wood and Rochdale fared at Wembley?
Between the two clubs, only Boreham Wood have played in a National League play-off final, narrowly losing to Tranmere Rovers in 2018.
For Dale, they are yet to compete in a fifth-tier play-off final, but they have struggled in their previous meetings at Wembley.
In 2008, Keith Hill's side were edged out 3-2 in a League Two play-off final thriller by Stockport County despite Rochdale leading twice in front of a 35,715-strong crowd.
The Greater Manchester club also visited Wembley in 2018 to face Premier League outfit Tottenham in an FA Cup fifth-round replay, with Spurs running riot in a 6-1 hammering.
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Why Jimmy McNulty's side might edge it
In terms of league finishes, history tells us that Rochdale are more likely to gain promotion, having finished the campaign as runners-up to York City.
The team that has finished second in the National League has gone on to win the play-off final on seven occasions, with the last team to do so being Notts County in 2023.
Sides that have finished the regular season in fourth have gone on to win the lottery on five occasions, and the last team to do so was Hartlepool United in 2021.
While there is not much in it, history suggests that Rochdale are better placed for promotion, and given how close they came to doing so, many will be urging them on on Sunday afternoon.
Boreham Wood are yet to beat Dale in their four previous contests, with Jimmy McNulty's men winning both meetings convincingly earlier this campaign.
However, given that it is expected to be a clash packed with tension, anything could happen in what is a one-match shootout for promotion.
How to watch Boreham Wood vs. Rochdale exclusively on DAZN
The play-off finals for all three divisions in the National League will be available on DAZN for £14.99 with an NLTV Season Pass.
From next season, DAZN will have more National League coverage than ever before with:
- 400+ National League games live on DAZN from the 26/27 season
- Every National League team live at least 30 times a season
- A selection of National League North and National League South matches is available every month
- Every playoff game live
NLTV on DAZN is available on any device, including Smart TVs, mobile devices, tablets, streaming devices, games consoles, and, for viewers in the UK, your Sky box.
If you do not have the App already, then just follow these instructions....
- Download the free DAZN App from your normal App store on your TV, phone, tablet, or streaming device
- On a laptop or PC, visit www.DAZN.com/home
- Select 'Get started' or 'log in'
- Enter your email address, or sign up via the Apple, Google, or Facebook options
- You then have access to all of DAZN's free content, including the Matchroom boxing channel, LIV Golf, and FIFA+
- Then find the National League page and click 'buy now'
For more information and to sign up, head here now.
*3pm Saturday kick-offs are subject to TV blackout restrictions, but available to watch later on Saturday on demand
