Wembley beckons for Burton as Brewers eye play-off final
Published:Burton Albion edged their pulsating League Two play-off semi-final first leg against Bradford City and the Brewers look set to reaffirm their dominance in the return fixture.
A 3-2 scoreline at Valley Parade affords the hosts a narrow advantage over the Yorkshire side.
However, recent trends suggest Burton can increase their stranglehold on the tie early on in the second leg.
Gary Rowett’s side raced into a two-goal lead in less than half an hour on Thursday night and their formidable home form points towards another quick-fire salvo that could ease the tension at the Pirelli Stadium.
Burton have lost just three of their 23 league matches on their own turf this season, notching 12 victories in the last 13 games that they’ve hosted.
Albion have led at the interval in nine of those most recent wins and the 11/5 for them to complete a half-time/full-time double looks tempting.
The fact that Bradford have only won six of their League Two away games this term, collecting just 28 points from a possible 69 available, only enhances Burton’s appeal.
If the Bantams wish to regain a foothold in the semi-final then scoring an early goal might be crucial.
However, the visitors have failed to net in the first-half of six of their last nine on the road, drawing a blank in three of their last six away games.
Bermudan striker Nahki Wells has registered 23 goals in all competitions this season for Bradford, including one from the penalty spot in the first encounter.
He’s 5/1 to net the all-important first goal, a feat that could prove pivotal in a finely poised contest.
Meanwhile, Burton’s first-leg hero Calvin Zola is the same price to repeat the dose and strike an early blow.
The powerful frontman also separated the two sides when they last met at the Pirelli back in December, yet another omen weighing in favour of the buoyant Brewers.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
