Burton Albionvs
Bradford CityBradford City sitting top of League One is one thing. Going to the Pirelli Stadium and making it four wins in a row against Burton Albion would be something else entirely. The Bantams have Michael Duff finding his feet as gaffer, a squad starting to click, and momentum building at exactly the right time. But this is not a gimme. Burton are wounded after being robbed of three points in the sixth minute of stoppage time at Peterborough, and a hurt side playing at home under the floodlights can be a very dangerous proposition.
Gary Bowyer will have spent the weekend stewing on that Garbett equaliser. His side led through a Charlie Webster goal and an absolute screamer from Gbemi Arubi and still came away with nothing to show for it. The Brewers have not won in three league games now, and there is real pressure on them to respond. Duff’s Bradford, fresh off their first win under him, will fancy they can take advantage of a side that is short on confidence right now.
Burton Albion vs Bradford City Match Details
This League One fixture takes place at the Pirelli Stadium in Burton upon Trent. Burton are currently sitting 10th in the table and need a reaction after a difficult recent run, while Bradford arrive as league leaders under a manager still finding his best eleven but building some genuine momentum.
Team News
Burton are dealing with a significant injury concern heading into this one, and Bowyer may need to shuffle his back line as a result. Arubi’s stunning goal at Peterborough looks set to earn him a start, meaning Dennis is likely to drop to the bench. For Bradford, Duff faces a positive selection headache after two substitutes changed the game against Stevenage.
- Finn Delap is expected to miss out for Burton after picking up an injury ahead of this fixture
- George Evans is likely to be asked to drop into the back line to cover for Delap’s absence
- Sulyman Krubally is set to come into the Burton midfield as a result of Evans moving back
- Gbemi Arubi looks set for a start after his wonder goal from the halfway line at Peterborough
- Matthew Dennis is expected to make way and drop to the bench for the hosts
- Will Swan and Nick Powell impressed off the bench for Bradford and could be rewarded with starts
- Antoni Sarcevic and Callum Connolly are expected to continue their midfield partnership for the Bantams
Predicted Lineups
Bowyer looks set to line up with Addai in goal, a back three of Sibbick, Tilt and Evans filling in for the injured Delap, with Rodrigues and Araujo providing width. The midfield looks likely to feature Krubally alongside Chauke, with Webster, Vickers and Arubi pushing forward.
Duff is expected to go with McCracken between the sticks, a back three of Pennington, Baldwin and Pratt, with Jackson and Touray as the wing backs. Connolly and Sarcevic in the engine room, and Phillips and Pointon supporting Beesley up top. The big call is whether Swan and Powell force their way into the starting eleven after those decisive cameos at the weekend.
Recent Form
Burton’s recent form tells a story of a side that is creating chances and putting goals on the board but leaking them at the wrong moments. Back to back defeats against Huddersfield and Doncaster set the alarm bells ringing, and even when they looked like they had dragged themselves out of that run with a brilliant performance at Peterborough, a late sucker punch denied them. Arubi’s goal from the halfway line was the sort of moment that gets a crowd off their seats, but the inability to see a game out has been a recurring theme.
Bradford’s road to the top of League One under Duff has not been entirely smooth. Two draws against Reading and Leyton Orient suggested the new manager was still working out his best setup, and patience was going to be needed. But the win over Stevenage felt like a turning point, not necessarily because of the scoreline but because of how it happened. Two substitutes coming off the bench to win it, Powell winning the penalty and Swan netting, suggests a squad that has depth and a bench that can influence games. That is a good sign for any manager trying to stamp his authority.
The contrast in momentum is interesting. Burton need a win badly and the pressure is growing. Bradford are top of the league and riding a feel good wave after a confidence boosting victory. But pressure cuts both ways, and the Brewers at home with something to prove cannot simply be written off.
Head-to-Head Record
Here is where it gets uncomfortable for Bradford. Despite their lofty league position, they have lost their last three meetings with Burton across all competitions. That is not a coincidence you can entirely brush aside. Something about this fixture clearly suits the Brewers, whether it is the way Bowyer sets his side up, the way Burton press and close down space, or simply the fact that the Pirelli Stadium is a tough place to go when the home side is fired up.
For Bradford, breaking that sequence would be a statement. For Burton, it is a source of genuine belief that whatever the form table says, this is a game they know how to win. Three on the bounce against your opponent is the kind of history that gets mentioned in the dressing room before kickoff.
Key Stats
- Burton have not won in their last three League One fixtures, picking up just one point from a possible nine
- Bradford have lost their last three meetings with Burton across all competitions despite currently leading League One
- The Bantams have now scored in the final 11 minutes in consecutive games, showing a willingness to keep pushing late on
Burton Albion vs Bradford City Betting Tips
This is a genuinely tricky one to call despite what the league table suggests. Bradford are the better side right now and Duff is clearly getting his ideas across, but that head to head record at the Pirelli gives you real pause. We still fancy Bradford to edge it, but the smart money is on backing specific markets rather than just chucking on an away win and hoping for the best.
Correct Score Prediction
Burton will create chances and Arubi looks like a real threat, so a clean sheet for Bradford seems unlikely. We are going with a 1 to 2 in favour of the Bantams, goals at both ends and Bradford nicking it late in the way they have been doing recently.
Corners Prediction
With Burton needing a win and likely to push forward aggressively, and Bradford a side that plays with pace on the break, this feels like a game that will produce plenty of corners. Both sides getting bodies forward and committing to attack makes over 9 corners the right call here.
Over and Under Goals Prediction
Given the way Burton have been conceding and the fact that they have to chase this game if they fall behind, plus Bradford’s growing confidence in front of goal, over 2.5 goals feels like solid ground. Neither side is set up to be defensively miserly right now.
First Goalscorer Prediction
Gbemi Arubi is the player we want on our side here. He scored an absolute worldie from the halfway line at Peterborough and starting in this one, he will be full of confidence. A player carrying that kind of momentum is always worth a look in the first goalscorer market.
Cards Prediction
A home side under pressure, a table topping away team, and a midfield battle that promises to be physical given how both sides like to press. There is enough intensity in this fixture to suggest both teams will pick up bookings. Over 3 cards in the game looks a reasonable shout given the stakes and the competitiveness of League One football at this level.
Bet Builder Tip
| Market | Selection |
|---|---|
| Match Result | Bradford City to Win |
| Both Teams to Score | Yes |
| First Goalscorer | Gbemi Arubi |
Bradford winning while both sides score fits the narrative of a high tempo game where Burton push forward and leave gaps, and Arubi opening the scoring would set up exactly the kind of contest this combination needs to land.
Final Match Prediction
We are going with Bradford to win this one, but do not expect it to be comfortable. Burton at the Pirelli with three league games without a win behind them and a gut punch draw still fresh in the memory is not an environment the Bantams will stroll through. Bowyer will have his side up for this, and that head to head record gives them genuine reason to believe they can extend it to four.
But Bradford have enough quality, enough depth off the bench, and a manager who is clearly getting his message across. Duff’s side winning 1 to 2 feels right, a Burton goal giving them hope, but the Bantams ultimately having too much on the night.
The post Burton Albion vs Bradford City Prediction, Betting Tips & Preview appeared first on Which Bookie.
