Bolton vs Bradford Prediction: Super Amario to deliver for the Trotters

Bolton Wanderers welcome Bradford City to the Toughsheet Community Stadium on Saturday (20:00 BST, Sky Sports Football) for the first leg of their League 1 play-off semi-final. Just two points separated the two sides in the regular campaign and both meetings were draws, so there is little to separate them coming into this tie.

My Bolton vs Bradford predictions can be found below, including team news and the latest match odds from Betfred.

Team News

Ethan Erhahon and attackers Corey Blackett-Taylor and Marcus Forss are all going to be absent for Bolton through injury.

The Trotters are hoping to welcome back striker Sam Dalby, who missed the final two games of the regular season, for Saturday's clash. The attacker netted 11 goals in the league.

Ibrahim Cissoko, who has scored twice in the past three matches, Johnny Kenny and Amario Cozier-Duberry are expected to support either Dalby or Mason Burstow in the final third.

Football Odds

Bradford duo Tyreik Wright and Bobby Pointon remain sidelined, so the Bantams could field a similar XI to the one that won at Exeter City on the final day.

Kayden Jackson is expected to get the nod to start up top having netted in three consecutive games heading into the weekend.

Bolton vs Bradford Odds

Bolton won 13 of their 23 home games in League 1 and they are 5/6 to prevail in this first leg.

The draw is marketed at 13/5, with this being the outcome in both league meetings this term.

Bradford have won two of their previous three away trips and they are 16/5 to collect the victory on Saturday.

Given his scoring run, the Bantams' Jackson is an alluring 10/3 bet to score anytime.

Today's Football Fixtures

Player Scores Or Assists A Goal - Amario Cozier-Duberry @ 6/5

Cozier-Duberry has been a key player when fit for Bolton this season and I think he can have a starring role in this play-off tie. I think there is value to be had in backing the winger to score or assist on Saturday because he has registered a goal involvement in each of the last three League 1 matches at the Toughsheet Community Stadium.

In those games, the Brighton & Hove Albion loanee has posted two goals and three assists. The 20-year-old's total combined figure for the campaign was 20. He should be full of confidence heading into Saturday, and his 6/5 (implied probability of 45.5%) price looks too good to ignore.

Both Teams To Score - Yes @ 5/6

Considering the attacking quality that both these sides possess, especially with the form of Bradford's Jackson at the moment, I am confident we will see both teams score on Saturday night.

There have been goals at both ends in each of the last four matches for the two sides coming into this first leg, including their 1-1 stalemate at Valley Parade on the penultimate weekend of the regular season.

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