Who Will Hold the Advantage After First Leg?

Who Will Hold the Advantage After First Leg?

By Michael Gales Dec 24, 2012

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With the Capital One Cup final just two games away all four teams will have their sights firmly set on Wembley. Bradford host Aston Villa, while Swansea travel to Chelsea.

Can Bradford Upset the Odds Against Villa?

League 2 Bradford are the only non-Premier League outfit still in the Capital One Cup, and face a tricky two-leg semi-final against Aston Villa.

Bradford host Villa in the first leg on January 8th at (the Valley) and will be hoping to eliminate another Premier League side, while Villa will favour themselves to reach a first domestic final since 2010.

Bradford progressed to the semi-final after beating Notts County, Watford, Burton, Wigan and Arsenal. Villa meanwhile, beat Tranmere, Man City, Swindon and Norwich.

So far Bradford have won three and drawn two – beating both Wigan and Arsenal on penalties. At home in the Capital One Cup Bradford have played twice, winning and drawing once. In comparison Villa have won all four of their games, and three on their travels.

Bradford’s defence will have to be tight against Villa who are the second highest scorers in the competition. Strikers Gabriel Agbonlahor and Christian Benteke are joint second in the goal scoring charts with three goals apiece.

In the competition this year Bradford average 1.4 (7) goals and concede 0.8 (4) per game, while Villa score an impressive 3.5 (14) goals and concede on average 1.25 (5) per game.

Bradford last beat Villa back in 1971, while the last meeting between the two sides was in the Premier League in 2001, where Villa ran out 3-0 winners away from home.

Chelsea Host Swansea at Stamford Bridge

Four-time winners Chelsea host Welsh side Swansea on January 9th in the first-leg of the Capital One Cup semi-final.

Chelsea reached the semi-final after beating Wolves, Manchester United and Leeds, while Swansea entered the tournament a stage earlier and overcame Barnsley, Crawley, Liverpool and Middlesbrough.

The Blues are the leading scorers in the tournament after finding the net on 16 occasions at an average of 5.3 goals per game. Their defence has shipped an average of 1.6 goals per game, while Swansea have scored ten goals and conceded just four.

In this year’s competition Chelsea have won both of their home games, while Swansea have won two games on their travels.

Juan Mata is second in the assist charts with four, and Swansea will look to nullify his creativity in order to keep a clean sheet in the first-leg.

The last two games between the two sides have ended 1-1. Interestingly, Swansea won their first meeting with Chelsea in 1925, but since then have lost seven and drawn three against the Blues.

For the best Capital One Cup semi-final betting odds click here.

*Odds subject to change

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