Football League Cup Final 24th Feb

The League Cup final takes place Sunday and you would have got big odds at the start on naming the two finalists. Here is our guide to the best of the bets on the game between Swansea and Bradford.

Bookmakers have little doubt where the trophy is headed making Swansea 1/6 (general) to lift the trophy while Bradford are 9/2 (general). Swansea are 2/5 (general) to win the game in 90 minutes while the draw is 37/9 (pinnacle) and Bradford are 208/23 (pinnacle). Swansea are the deserved favourites as going into the weekend they sat eighth in the Premier League while Bradford were 11th in League Two. The gap in talent is huge but anything can happen in a one off game. Nobody is giving the Bantams much of a chance which to be honest is what has been happening throughout the tournament. The League Two side have nothing to lose and will give it everything. Maybe the occasion and the pressure will get to Swansea though Wembley is not new to many of the players having achieved promotion to the Premier League by winning at Wembley a few years back.

One way to play this game is to back the Bantams to hold firm for a while as they will surely look to defend in numbers which is not a critique just a reality of the task facing them. Why not try some of the 3/2 (betway) on Bradford to keep a clean sheet in the first half. Swansea will look to settle into a passing game and will not be too concerned if they can not break down their opponents right away knowing that their class will shine through. You could of course take the draw in the half-time score market but this looks the safer play as a Bradford goal would not impact on your bet. In addition try a bet on the time of the first goal market coming after the 24th minute which can be taken at 10/11 (paddy Power).

Those looking for a first goalscorer bet will see that market is headed by Michu at 7/2 (paddy Power/william hill) who has had a remarkable season. The top five in the market are all Swansea players and you have to go down to Nahki Wells at 10/1 (general) before you get to a Bradford player.

An alternative to the first goalscorer bet is the first assist market with boylesports where Michu once again heads it at 15/2 ahead of a number of Swansea players. A little value play for anyone looking for it could be in Gary Jones at 20/1 who is the king of set-pieces for Bradford and registered an assist in most games en-route to the final. He can also be backed at 13/2 in the anytime assist market.

Bookmakers make 2-0 the favourite in the correct score market at 13/2 (BetVictor) while a 1-0 Swansea win is 7/1 with the same bookmaker. A 3-0 Swansea win is 19/2 with BetVictor while if you think Bradford can get a goal it is 9/1 with BetVictor a 2-1 Swansea win. The 1-1 draw is 21/2 (BetVictor) and 0-0 is 14/1 (Skybet/sportingbet/188 Bet). A Bradford 1-0 victory is 28/1 (BetVictor) and 2/1 is 30/1 (BetVictor).

One last bet to recommend is just a small interest on the 16/1 (paddy power) on Bradford to win on penalties. Finals are tight and the Bantams will try keep it so. When it comes to spot kicks they also have a remarkable record winning each of their last nine. At these odds it might be worth considering a small bet on this scenario unfolding.

BEST OF THE BETS

GOLD: First goal in game to come after 24th minute, 10/11 (paddy power)
SILVER: Bradford first half clean sheet, 3/2 (betway)
BRONZE: Bradford to win on Penalties, 16/1 (Paddy Power)

Go To bet365

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24/02/2013     © Frixo 2024