Swansea-Bradford Betting Preview: Swans to end Bantams hopes at Wembley

Feb 23, 2013 1:00:00 PM

Phil Parkinson’s side have impressed many reaching the final of the League Cup, but David Wright is backing Swansea to show their Premier League class at Wembley

Bradford go into this final knowing they are the firm underdogs at 15/2 (8.50) with William Hill, despite knocking out three sides from England’s top flight already with some quality defensive performances in the Capital One Cup campaign so far.

Two of those occasions against Wigan and Arsenal were taken to penalty shoot-outs; betting on Bradford using the same tactics to take it to a draw after 90 minutes is at 7/2 (4.50) and well worth a punt.

The Bantams are a mid-table side in the fourth tier of English football; they have taken just one win in their last eight, so it’s a big ask to take yet another Premier League scalp, although, they have saved their most impressive performances for this competition.

Swansea have secured big wins on the way to Wembley themselves, taking down Liverpool at Anfield and Chelsea over two legs in the semi-finals.

This is a first major cup final (excluding two Football League Trophy triumphs) in English football for the Swans though, and they come into this match under all the pressure following a 5-0 loss at Liverpool last weekend, albeit that was a much changed team with this match in mind.

So, perhaps Michael Laudrup’s side are maybe a touch short to back at 4/11 (1.36) for a win, with other markets related to a Swans victory more likely to offer better value.

A win on the -1 goal handicap for the Welsh side will give you a better price at 19/20 (1.95) without asking too much of the favourites.

For a value bet look towards William Hill's "Headline offers" for this game where Michu to score in a Swansea triumph is worth a flutter at 6/4 (2.50).

The Spaniard didn’t feature in Swansea’s disastrous fixture against Liverpool at the weekend, but should return to the starting line-up for the final.

With a haul of 18 goals already this season, as well as being Swansea’s top goal scorer, the 26-year-old looks very good value to score against the League Two defence in a win for his side on the big stage.

BET

OF THE

DAY

BEST BET

VALUE BET

Swansea to win (-1 goal) at 19/20 (1.95) with William Hill

Michu to score anytime and Swansea to win in 90 minutes at 6/4 (2.50) with William Hill

Sign up with William Hill for a free £25 bet and back Phil's selections for this match

Inside Goal.Com

Madrid see red after Copa carnage
Cristiano Ronaldo was dismissed as los Blancos lost their heads during a dramatic 2-1 final defeat by their city rivals in an epic final at the Santiago Bernabeu
Player Ratings: Real Madrid 1-2 Atletico Madrid (aet)
Goal was on hand to cast a critical eye over the dramatic events at Santiago Bernabeu
Eredivisie Team of the Season: Eriksen & Bony star
Goal runs through the best players in the Dutch top flight in 2012-13 and picks out the top 11 players over the course of the campaign
End it like Beckham: football will be poorer without him
The former England captain’s decision to close the curtain on his playing career signals the end of a chapter in modern football history
David Beckham's 10 most memorable moments
As the former England captain announces his intention to retire at the end of the season, Goal looks back on his finest feats - both on and off the football field.