Bradford and Carlisle - two sides who finished the season level on points - meet in the Sky Bet League Two play-offs. Michael Beardmore provides the preview and two best bets.
Football betting tips: League Two play-offs
1pt Draw at 11/5 (William Hill, Quinn Bet)
1pt Ben Barclay 1+ shots at 5/2 (Sky Bet)
It’s not totally unfair to say that Bradford and Carlisle have drawn their way into the Sky Bet League Two play-offs.
Only mid-table Walsall (19) have registered more draws than the 16 apiece the Bantams and Cumbrians have managed. Mark Hughes' Bradford drew seven of their final 13 games of the regular season, while six of Carlisle’s past 11 have finished level.
Caution has very much overtaken adventure – particularly so in the case of Carlisle, whose games have averaged a measly 1.45 goals per match over that aforementioned 11-game sequence – and that can be a tough habit to shake.
The top-price 4/7 you can get on Under 2.5 Goals tells its own story – few are expecting fireworks in the first leg of a play-off semi-final that has all the hallmarks of going the distance.
Kick-off time: 19:00 BST, Sunday
TV channel: Sky Sports Main Event
Bradford 23/20 | Draw 21/10 | Carlisle 12/5
Under 1.5 Goals is available 37/20 but is not without its risks – and if you concur that this one will be tight and tense, it’s instead worth backing the DRAW at 11/5 in case it finishes 1-1.
A division-high 10 of Bradford’s 23 games at Valley Parade have been drawn, including a 0-0 with Carlisle, while these evenly-matched sides finished level on 76 points over the campaign, only goal difference separating them.
If goals do arrive, they are likely to be courtesy of 28-goal leading League Two marksman Andy Cook, of Bradford, or Carlisle’s 20-goal striker Kristian Dennis, but I fancy chances will be scarce.
Indeed, the best player bet seems to spring from the stats markets with Carlisle’s BEN BARCLAY a mouthwatering 5/2 to merely attempt 1+ TOTAL SHOTS (that's one or more) despite his recent impressive attacking output.
The on-loan utility man, who can play centre-back, right-back, wing-back or defensive midfield, has unleashed eight efforts in his last eight games, four from open play and four from set-pieces.
Bradford v Carlisle score prediction and best bets
- Draw at 11/5 (William Hill, Quinn Bet)
- Ben Barclay 1+ shots at 5/2 (Sky Bet)
Score prediction: Bradford 0-0 Carlisle (Sky Bet odds: 13/2)
Odds correct 1700 BST (12/05/23)
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