Birmingham City v Bradford City: Prediction, Tips and Odds

The first EFL Trophy semi-final takes place on Tuesday, with League One pacesetters Birmingham City hosting fourth-tier promotion hopefuls Bradford City.

The winner will go on to face either Wrexham or holders Peterborough United in April's final at Wembley.

Birmingham's ambitious owners have big plans for the Blues and winning this trophy for the third time in the club's history could set the tone for a successful spring, with them all but guaranteed promotion from the third tier.

Bradford are also going well, sitting third in League Two and also looking to lift this piece of silverware for the first time.

The Bantams also reached last season's EFL Trophy semi-finals, however, there was late heartbreak for Graham Alexander's men on that occasion and it could be a familiar tale at St Andrew's.

Birmingham City v Bradford City betting tips and predictions

Birmingham to win to nil - 6/4

The attacking players Birmingham brought in last summer made the headlines, but they also made several shrewd defensive acquisitions.

Alex Cochrane and Christoph Klarer came in permanently, while Ben Davies was loaned from Rangers and those three have teamed up with Ethan Laird and goalkeeper Ryan Allsop - another new arrival - to form the best defensive unit in League One.

The Blues displayed their depth in the quarters, with Bailey Peacock-Farrell starting in goal and Krystian Bielik and Grant Hanley fielded in defence as they won 1-0 at Stevenage.

That trio are full internationals and shows the level of players that the Bantams will be up against in the West Midlands.

Alexander's visitors also kept a clean sheet in the last four, and against League One opposition, beating Rotherham United 1-0.

That result forms part of a run of eight games that has seen a 'no' land in the both teams to score market, most recently drawing 0-0 at Newport County on Saturday. 

Meanwhile, Birmingham beat Charlton Athletic 1-0 to record their third clean sheet in four games - the odd one out being their brilliant performance in a 3-2 FA Cup defeat to Newcastle United.

Bradford also reached last season's EFL Cup semi-finals, losing 1-0 to Wycombe Wanderers courtesy of Matt Butcher's stoppage time strike.

A 1-0 win for the home side appeals at 13/2 and the Blues to triumph in 90 minutes without conceding looks the right way to go.

Alfie May anytime scorer - 5/4

Jay Stansfield was Birmingham's big summer signing and netted their only goal in Saturday's 1-0 win over Charlton.

However, former Addicks forward Alfie May might be the striker home boss Chris Davies turns to on Tuesday.

The 31-year-old, another summer arrival after joining from the Addicks, has started five times for the Blues in this competition but scored only once.

If he is to force his way into the team for the promotion run-in, and a potential Wembley outing, then this game against Bradford looks like a real opportunity to show his worth.

Stansfield is 11/10 to score at any time and is likely to see some minutes, but May might get the nod to start and is a slightly longer 5/4 to take his chance.

Bailey Peacock-Farrell to be booked - 10/1

Not often you go for a goalkeeper to be booked, but Peacock-Farrell might be required to waste time if his team are ahead and is an excellent price to pick up a card.

The thinking that this will be a tense game makes him a clear card candidate, and his only yellow this season came as he tried to wind the clock down in the round of 32 win at Exeter.

The Northern Irish international has lost his place to Allsop in the league and has become Davies' 'Cup' goalkeeper.

Never afraid to introduce himself to off-the-ball action or push the rules when he feels he can get away with it, the 28-year-old will be ready to take his time over his restarts if his team are leading later on.

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Birmingham City v Bradford City odds

Birmingham - 9/20
Draw - 16/5
Bradford - 5/1

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.