Bradford City vs Millwall – Match Preview

Bradford City vs Millwall - Match Preview

Bradford City vs Millwall – Match Preview

Skybet League One Playoff Final, Wembley Stadium, London 3pm

The Sky Bet League One season comes to a climax as Bradford City and Millwall battle for promotion to The Championship in the play-off final.

Bradford return to Wembley just four years after besting Northampton in the League Two play-off final and are seeking for their first stint in the second tier of English football since 2004.

Bradford are looking for a perfect hattrick at Wembley; also emerging victorious in the above mentioned match against Northampton and also in 1996 against Notts County.

This season has been a strong one for The Bantams; finishing in 5th place just 3 points away from beaten semi-finalists Scunthorpe in 3rd.
Stuart McCall’s men finished with a total of just 7 losses in the league this season – the second lowest total after dominant champions, Sheffield United in the division.

The lions’ season was a bit more difficult; sneaking in to the play-offs with a dramatic final day 4-3 victory over Bristol Rovers – scoring the winner in the 85th minute just to add to the theatre.

However, the resilience and determination shown in the 3-2 semi-final victory at Scunthorpe illustrates that Millwall are by no means here to make up the numbers, they are desperate to get back into the Championship two seasons after relegation.

A fifth Wembley appearance in 8 seasons will give manager Neil Harris’ men the belief in their experience to get the job done.

Both league matches this season between the two teams finished 1-1 – leaving the hypothetical winner as a difficult call to make.

Steve Morrison has scored 18 goals in all competitions this season

Steve Morrison has scored 18 goals in all competitions this season Photo Credit: skysports.com

Players to Watch
Millwall icon Steve Morrison has had a brilliant season – his tally of 18 goals in all competitions has aided The Lions’ promotion push to no end. Additionally, the striker has been pivotal in Millwall’s astounding FA Cup run; scoring against two Premier League sides Bournemouth and the winner against Watford. Another performance here like the brace notched in the dramatic comeback victory in the semi-final against Scunthorpe and The Lions could well be roaring at Wembley.

Colin Doyle has 17 clean sheets this season

Colin Doyle has 17 clean sheets this season Photo Credit: skysports.com

Bradford partially owe their excellent season to goalkeeper Colin Doyle; the stopper, standing at an imposing 6ft5, has played every single minute of the campaign to date. He has also kept the joint second highest clean sheets, 17, after team-of-the-year feature Connor Ripley who has just one more. Doyle also boasts an impressive save percentage of 37%, and will may need to be in similar form to keep out Millwall’s potent threat of Morrison and Lee Gregory.

Team News
Bradford have no new injury concerns, and also see Alex Jones come back into contention after returning to training at the start of the week.

Millwall are also fortuitous in that there are no new problems. Shaun Cummings is still ruled out with a hamstring injury but Shaun Hutchinson – who played with a cracked rib against Scunthorpe – is expected to keep his place in defence.

 

Suggested Tips:

  • Skybet Price Boost – Steve Morison to score a brace – 20/1
  • Skybet Price Boost – Lee Gregory to score and Millwall to win in 90 mins – 5/1
  • Skybet Scorecast Boost – Mark Marshall to score first and Bradford to win 2-1 – 100/1
  • Skybet Scorecast Boost (Double Chance) – Aiden O’Brien to score first and either Millwall to win 2-0 or Millwall to win 3-1 – 66/1
  • Skybet RequestAbet Up to 10/1 – BTTS, 4+ corners each team and 20+ booking pts each team – 15/2
  • Skybet RequestAbet Up to 10/1 – Each team to take 3+ corners in each half – 10/1
  • Skybet RequestAbet 11/1 to 28/1 – Gregory & Morison to score, Millwall to win and over 2.5 goals – 12/1
  • Skybet RequestAbet 11/1 to 28/1 – Clarke to score, Bradford to win, BTTS and 50+ match booking pts – 25/1
  • Skybet RequestAbet 33/1 to 66/1 – Cullen to score, Bradford to win, 7+ Bradford corners and 30+ Millwall booking pts – 50/1
  • Skybet RequestAbet 33/1 to 66/1 – BTTS and McMahon, Hutchinson & Knight-Percival to be carded – 66/1
  • Skybet RequestAbet 80/1 and Above – Over 4.5 goals, 15+ match corners and 70+ match booking pts – 200/1

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