Bradford City vs Bolton predictions: Wanderers to draw strength from past meetings
Steve Davies
Bolton won the first leg 1-0 on Saturday
Bradford finished fourth, two points above fifth-placed Bolton
Recommended bet: Draw at 5/2 with LiveScore Bet
The League One play-off semi-final is on a knife-edge heading to Valley Parade where Bradford City are striving to overturn Bolton's 1-0 first-leg advantage.
Amaro Crozier-Duberry's 60th-minute goal at the Toughsheet Stadium is all that separates two sides who could barely be split over the course of the season, either.
The latest Bradford City vs Bolton odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Team news
Bobby Pointon has been missed by Bradford over the last five games and remains a doubt but Tyreik Wright should be fit to start on the left of the Bantams' front three.
When Bradford drew 1-1 with Bolton on April 25 - City's most recent home game - Graham Alexander abandoned his tried-and-tested 3-4-3 to go with a 4-2-3-1.
Bolton striker Johnny Kenny, on loan from Celtic, missed the first leg with a knee injury and has been ruled out for the rematch.
The latest Bradford City vs Bolton odds are available on LiveScore Bet
The stats
Bradford have won only one of their last six matches and only one of their last five at home.
Bolton have lost only three of their last 22 matches.
Eight of the last 12 meetings between these sides in all competitions have ended in draws.
In four meetings between these sides this season, Bolton have won all three at home and drawn 1-1 at Valley Parade. City had just six shots on target across those four games.
The latest Bradford City vs Bolton odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Prediction
It is all to play for at Valley Parade between Bradford City and Bolton with arguments to be made for all three 90-minute outcomes in the second leg of this finely-balanced semi-final.
Bolton have the edge having won 1-0 at home and will also be confident having not lost to Bradford in four meetings this season.
And they, of course, do not have to win, with a draw good enough to take them through to Wembley on Sunday, May 24 for the play-off final.
But Bradford's home form over the last couple of seasons makes impressive reading and a rocking Valley Parade will provide an intimidating backdrop for Stephen Schumacher's visitors.
What this match does promise to be is tense and tight and that should make the draw a lively runner for match bettors.
LiveScoreBet go 5/2 about the draw and that seems a sensible play.
Certainly Bolton know how to draw games. Despite having won only six away matches in the league this season, they have drawn 10 more, including 1-1 at Bradford as recently as three weeks ago.
They have had eight draws since the start of February and 19 in all competitions since the start of the season. And another one would do them just fine.
Clearly the onus is on Bradford to change the script and the signs are not good.
In four games against Bolton this season they have averaged less than 40% possession, 1.5 shots on target and just 17 touches inside the Bolton box.
Those are pretty discouraging numbers and while Bradford clearly have the ability to be more attack-minded and positive, it does not necessarily mean they will be.
Back Bradford vs Bolton - Draw @ 5/2 with LiveScore Bet
The latest Bradford City vs Bolton odds are available on LiveScore Bet
