Burton vs Cheltenham Prediction: Crunch clash at the bottom of the table

There is a huge clash at the bottom of League 1 on Tuesday night (19:45) as Burton Albion host Cheltenham Town at the Pirelli Stadium. The Brewers are currently three points clear of the relegation zone, while the Robins are five points behind them. They last met at the beginning of March, playing out a goalless draw in Gloucestershire.

Both teams haven't been in the best of form of late but they do each boast a win from their last five. Burton's came in their last outing at Stevenage, while the Robins defeated Fleetwood at the end of March. They have, however, lost four on the bounce which has massively dented their survival hopes. This could be a very scrappy game of football, which our Burton vs Cheltenham predictions suggest.

Match Odds

Burton are on offer at 6/4, or an implied probability of 40% to take the three points in midweek, which could give them some extra breathing room from the bottom four. Cheltenham are 15/8, or a 34.8% chance to get back to winning ways, while the draw can be backed at 23/10 (30.3%).

Both teams to score is available at 4/5, which isn't ideal after the goalless stalemate over a month ago. Over 2.5 goals is priced at 11/10. Burton's Mark Helm has netted six times in all competitions this season, and is valued at 9/2 to score anytime on Tuesday.

Cheltenham midfielder Liam Sercombe has scored 10 times in League One this term and is 100/30 to score anytime against the Brewers, or 17/2 to open the scoring.

Team News

Burton will be sweating over the fitness of skipper Joe Brayford after he was forced off in Saturday's victory over Stevenage. Former Derby County and Millwall forward Mason Bennett was withdrawn at half-time in that game, so he too will need to be assessed ahead of Tuesday's clash.

Defender Ryan Sweeney was absent at the weekend for personal reasons, so he could be back in contention to make the matchday squad for the visit of fellow strugglers Cheltenham.

The Robins have their own issues as duo Rob Street and Lewis Freestone are both doubts to feature after missing the last two matches. Midfielder Tom Pett is the latest fitness concern after he was forced off inside 20 minutes in the defeat against Bristol Rovers last time out.

After scoring from the bench against the Gas, top scorer Sercombe could be recalled to the starting lineup to give Darrell Clarke's team some much-needed firepower in this gargantuan fixture.

Draw @ 23/10

After the goalless draw between the two teams over a month ago, we feel that another stalemate could be on the horizon. Burton are five points ahead of Cheltenham right now and they will know that if they can maintain that gap after this meeting with two games to go, their own survival chances will be looking a lot brighter.

The onus will be on the Robins here, especially after their horrific run of four defeats has damaged their chances of staying up. They still have a game in hand on the Brewers, but it counts for nothing if they get beaten here.

This is where they need to show what they're made of and this will be seen as a must-win for them, but we do see another draw here. We expect the two teams to play out a chess match that will be very tactical and be more of a case of the two teams trying their best not to lose. That is why we think a draw is worth backing at the Pirelli.

Both teams to score - Yes @ 4/5

It may not have landed last month, but we do think that there will be goals at both ends here, especially as the final run-in is upon us. BTTS has landed in six of Cheltenham's matches since they last met the Brewers. For the hosts, it has delivered in five of their last eight.

There is a lot riding on this fixture for both teams and the outcome will have huge repercussions in the final weeks of the season. They are both still fighting for their lives, and this should show in the players' performances. Therefore, we are expecting a lot of frantic action at both ends of the pitch in Staffordshire for this one.

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