Bradford vs Cheltenham Predictions

• Bradford have scored in each of their last 11 home matches.
• Bradford have kept a clean sheet in 43% of their home matches.
• 64% of Cheltenham’s conceded goals were conceded at home.

A frustrating start to the year

At the turn of the year, Bradford City were well placed in League 2 and looked like realistic contenders to regain their spot in England’s third tier at the first time of asking. However, they come into Tuesday’s match having failed to win in their last five league matches and after a humbling 3-0 defeat away from home against Mansfield at the weekend, it is almost certain that their confidence is pretty low at the moment.

Whilst they may not be at the top of their game at the moment, their form on home soil remains excellent and the 30 points they have earned in their 14 league matches at home this term represents the second highest return in the division. It should not be surprising either, as they have kept a clean sheet in 43% of their home matches and have conceded an average of just 0.71 goals per home game.

Speaking of defensive stability

The latest side to make the trip to Valley Parade is Cheltenham Town, and whilst they also come into this clash following a defeat at the weekend, they will be pretty satisfied with how things are going at the moment. The visitors have won two of their last three in the league and they are still in the running for the top seven as things stand.

Much of their success has come thanks to their ability to keep the opposition at bay and Cheltenham actually boast the best defensive record in League 2, with just 22 goals conceded from their 27 games this season. It’s a not as if they are any worse defensively when on the road either as 43% of their away matches have finished with the Robins managing to keep a clean sheet.

Goals at a premium

With both sides looking to build from a solid defensive base, it seems obvious that there is unlikely to be many goals scored in this clash. The hosts are out of form and have failed to score in their last two matches, but they have a fantastic home record and will fancy their chances of the three points on Tuesday evening. However, in order to achieve that aim they have to overcome what is statistically the best defence in League 2, and whilst Cheltenham have not been particularly dominant in front of goal away from home, their defensive strength means that this one is likely to be a close contest. With this in mind we are backing there to be less than 2.5 goals scored.

In terms of a correct score tip, as already discussed, we think that this one will be a low scoring affair. The hosts have kept a clean sheet in 43% of their home matches whilst the away side have kept a clean sheet in 43% of their matches on the road. However, given the strength of the hosts on home soil, we think that they should come out on top and backing a 1-0 home win looks to be the way to go.