Two fascinating Capital One Cup semi-final second legs over the next couple of nights and it begins at Villa Park on Tuesday.
It has been a dreadful campaign for Aston Villa under new boss Paul Lambert but they remain only 90 minutes away from a Wembley final appearance and the Scot will be trying to rally his players for the visit of Bradford City.
Heavily favoured to advance at the expense of the League Two side before the first leg at Valley parade, it is now almost evens of each following the Bantams 3-1 victory a fortnight ago and the tie is perfectly poised.
Bradford were deserved winners on the night, Nahki Wells opening the scoring before goals from Rory McArdle and Carl McHugh either side of Andreas Weimann’s strike, and you have to think that Bradford’s third could prove crucial.
At 2-1 Villa were favourites to go through with home avantage to come but City boss Phil Parkinson must be optimistic with the cushion of a two goal lead and also in the knowledge that Villa just can’t defend.
It is no clean sheets in ten matches for Lambert’s team and if Bradford can nick one on the break, the home team must obviously go for the win, then it could well be enough to progress.
That said, Bradford have conceded six in defeats to Oxford and Crewe in the last ten days and goalmouth action is all but assured in Birmingham given the balance of the tie.
The main match markets look about right to me but both teams to score currently trades at 1.85 with VC Bet and that appeals.
Surely Villa will find a breakthrough with the excellent Christian Benteke, on target versus West Brom last time out, leading the line and the wager rests on Bradford’s ability to find the net.
Given Villa’s defensive record it doesn’t take a great deal of imagination to think they can find a way past Shay Given and I think the price should be more like 1.60.
3pts Back Both Teams to Score (Aston Villa vs. Bradford) @ 1.85 (VC Bet)