It's advantage Bradford after the first leg of their League Two playoff semi-final with Carlisle, but the Cumbrians will be hoping they can turn the tie on its head at their beloved Brunton Park.

Aaron Ashley's Bradford v Carlisle Tips

Draw @ 12/5 
One or both teams not to score @ 4/5 
0-0 draw @ 7/1

Odds displayed were correct at the time of writing and subject to fluctuation.

Setting the scene…..

Jamie Walker's early strike is all that separates the sides with the Bantams edging a physical first leg at Valley Parade, where goalscoring chances were in short supply. 

Bradford would have wanted a bigger lead than 1-0 to take to Cumbria but it still means that avoiding defeat would send Mark Hughes' men to Wembley. 

There were only three shots on target in the opening leg in Bradford, in what was a proper League Two scrap between two evenly-matched sides. 

Only goal difference separated the pair in the regular season as they each amassed 76 points from 46 games, and that was evident in West Yorkshire. 

The first leg result means there have been only two goals scored across their three encounters this season, with Carlisle winning 1-0 at Brunton Park in December before the goalless draw at Valley Parade in March. 

The winner of this semi-final contest would square off against either Stockport or Salford in the League Two playoff final at Wembley on Saturday 28th May.

Draw @ 12/5

Low-scoring games tend to enhance the chances of a draw and, given how the three previous meetings between these sides have gone this season, that looks a likely scenario. 

There have been only two goals scored across their three meetings this term and the pair have already shared the spoils once, having drawn 0-0 at Valley Parade in March. 

Both teams drew 16 of their 46 games in the regular season - only Walsall endured more stalemates this term - and it is a result that suits Bradford. 

Given that the tie is still hanging in the balance, it's unlikely either manager will be making big tactical switches with Carlisle boss Paul Simpson hoping home advantage will be the factor that swings the pendulum in their favour. 

But Carlisle have won only three of their last 12 games, drawing six of those matches, and are difficult to trust at present. 

The Bantams, meanwhile, have lost only two of their last 17 matches and Hughes won't want his team to take too many unduly risks with them in the driving seat.

Aaron Ashley's Tip: 

Carlisle have drawn three of their last five at home and a repeat result may be on the cards against Bradford, who know that will be enough to send them through to Wembley. 

Only goal difference separated this pair in the League Two standings and there have been only two goals scored across their three meetings this term, making the draw good value at 12/5.

One or both teams not to score @ 4/5

There were only three shots on target in the opening leg at Valley Parade as Bradford made the most of home advantage in a hard-fought 1-0 win. 

The two regular-season meetings saw Carlisle win 1-0 at home while the pair played out a goalless draw at Bradford, two games that featured only seven shots on target combined. 

Given what is at stake, another low-scoring encounter looks likely and backing one of both teams not to score at 4/5 looks the approach to take. 

Both teams have scored in only two of Carlisle's last nine home league games, while the net has bulged at both ends in just three of the Bantams' last nine on the road.

Aaron Ashley's Tip: 

Carlisle did a good job of keeping Bradford hotshot Andy Cook quiet in the opening leg while the Cumbrians' leading scorer Kristian Dennis has seen his goalscoring form tail off in recent months. 

None of the three meetings between these sides this season have seen both teams score and, given what is on the line, it's unlikely this fixture will be a free-flowing contest.

0-0 draw @ 7/1

There have been only two goals scored in the three matches involving this duo this season and there were just ten shots on target across those encounters. 

That, combined with the high stakes, points to another low-scoring clash in Cumbria and there is every chance of a goalless draw, which occurred when these two met at Valley Parade in March. 

Carlisle are chasing the game but they have failed to score in seven of their last 12 matches, with four of those fixtures ending in 0-0 draws. The Bantams have also been involved in five goalless games since the turn of the year.

Aaron Ashley's Tip: 

This pair have looked very evenly-matched this season and it is easy to envisage them cancelling one another out at Brunton Park. 

Goals have been hard to come by in their previous encounters this season and there is every chance this showdown ends in a 0-0 draw.

Aaron Ashley's Bradford v Carlisle Tips

Draw @ 12/5 
One or both teams not to score @ 4/5 
0-0 draw @ 7/1

Odds displayed were correct at the time of writing and subject to fluctuation.

Aaron Ashley

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