League One Betting: Bantams in for tough Monday night fixture

MK Dons boss Karl Robinson

FA Cup giant-killers Bradford City are in League One action on Monday night in front of the Sky cameras, but face promotion chasing MK Dons in a mouth-watering game, writes Alan Dudman...

Bradford City 3.2/10, v MK Dons 2.68/5, the draw 3.55/2
Monday 19:45, Live on Sky Sports 1 

Match Odds

Karl Robinson's third placed MK Dons have a chance to take top spot on Monday night with a tricky looking game at Valley Parade. The Buckinghamshire side are currently in a terrific run of form - with just one loss from 15 games. 

The Dons were involved in a top of the table clash on Saturday against Bristol City, and both (decent teams) cancelled each other out. Robinson changed his system and played Carl Baker in a new role, but overall they defended superbly, if a little obsessed in dealing with giant forward Matt Smith. Unusually they didn't totally dominate the ball against City - something they are used to doing. 

Bradford have enjoyed their high profile FA Cup success at Chelsea, but unfortunately couldn't match those exploits at the weekend with a 2-2 draw at Port Vale. For an away side they certainly didn't sit back and defend, but manager Phil Parkinson was left cursing yet another late goal conceded (the Valiants scored deep into injury time). 

The Bantams face an upcoming frenzied fixture list, and will almost certainly have one eye on their FA Cup fifth round game with Sunderland. And their form at home has been a bit jittery; with two wins from their last six, and six defeats in total this term at Valley Parade. 

If you are a fan of BBC's Allotment Challenge, you may be 'double-taking' if you are watching this game on SKY TV. As Bradford's pitch is one of the poorest in the division, and brings a whole new meaning to the words 'on home soil'. This won't suit the away side so well, who are famed at this level for their fluid football.

Under/Over 2.5 Goals 

The Dons have added more defensive steel to their usual high quality passing, and have conceded just one goal from their previous five matches, and that includes games with Bristol City and Sheffield United. Robinson's team also score goals away from home, they've netted 27 times so far this term with just two blanks on the road. Added with 16 clean sheets home and away all season, they'll be hard to beat. 

The hosts are an 'in and out' overs team, with three hitting the target from their last seven. They scored twice against Rochdale and three against Orient, but the Dons will be stronger defensively than Port Vale were this weekend.

First Goalscorer 

MK Dons' teenage sensation Dele Alli will be shorter than most midfielders to net first. The 18-year-old was snapped up by Spurs on transfer deadline night, but he is staying with the Bucks team until the end of the season. Alli is two-footed with a timely knack of arriving in the box. He has scored 12 this season and according to Opta Stats, no other player in midfield can match that number. He could have snatched a winner late on against Bristol City on Saturday, which would have been a typical Alli goal. 

Elsewhere the away team have a lovely player by the name of Will Grigg. He's got nine himself, but didn't have one single chance at the weekend. Grigg is quite silky with good feet, a clever footballer with a good finish. Loan signing Devante Cole (Andrew's son), scored twice against Crewe recently and has matured since his Barnsley switch. 

The Bantams leading scorer is James Hanson with six this season in League One, but fellow forward Jon Stead looked a world-beater against Chelsea recently. His hold up play works well in what effectively can be described as a 'front three' with Billy Knott just behind.

Corners Match Bet 

Not an obvious market for some, although with the state of the pitch, witty readers looking for 'to find a row of carrots' in a corner will be disappointed. This market is seldom used by myself, but it could be worth considering the hosts to land this. City have outscored their opponents in corners for the last five matches - with a total of six, eight, seven, six and eight from their most recent games. Whereas the Dons have been good on the 'corner count' at home, but away they've mustered just nine from two away matches - losing out on both. 

Odds of around 1.9010/11 might be attainable, considering the visitors are the 'sexier' team.

In-Play/ Cash Out 

I previously mentioned Bradford's knack of conceding a late goal. If marking up from 74 minutes, the hosts have conceded a goal after this time in seven of their last 11 matches - with four on 90 minutes plus.

Recommended Bets
Back Bradford to win corners match bet @ 1.910/11
Back MK Dons in draw no bet market @ 1.824/5 

League One 2014/15 P/L (all selections one point)

- 8.08 pts