The two-week international break allows the lower league sides to showcase their qualities and Tuesday evening brings us several Johnstone’s Paint Trophy quarter-final north and south encounters to assess with the Yorkshire derby between Sheffield United and Bradford City the pick of the bunch.
Sheffield United v Bradford (7.45pm)
A South versus West Yorkshire showdown between the League One Blades and struggling League Two Bantams at Bramall Lane looks a home banker on paper for Danny Wilson’s hosts.
However, the Blades have struggled of late with the 2-1 defeat at Stevenage on Saturday leaving them with just one win in four league outings as they have slipped to fifth spot in the table – six points behind second-placed Huddersfield.
Wilson is calling on his team to get back to winning ways immediately on Tuesday when they face Bradford City as he has no new injury problems to contend with but could make some changes.
United have managed to see off League Two Burton and Rotherham by the same score of 2-1 in the previous rounds and they will hope for an easier time when facing a City side whose 1-0 home defeat to Cheltenham Town on Saturday has left them 21st in the table, just one point ahead of the bottom two relegation spots.
Former Blades duo, defender Andrew Davies and winger Kyel Reid, will miss out for Phil Parkinson’s Bantams due to suspension, while defender Robbie Threlfall and winger Jamie Devitt are doubtful due to respective thigh and hamstring problems.
History is on the Blades side as they have won 16 and lost only four previous meetings with Bradford on home soil so we expect them to cut down their Yorkshire rivals again on Tuesday.
Prediction: Sheffield United Home 90 Minutes @ 4/9
Value Bet: Sheffield United To Win 3-1 Correct Score @ 10/1
Rochdale v Preston (7.45pm)
Another northern quarter-final sees an all Lancashire battle between two sides struggling badly for form in recent weeks.
Rochdale manager Steve Eyre witnessed his side drop into the League One relegation places following Saturday’s 3-1 defeat at MK Dons which made it no wins in their last six league outings.
They secured a place at this stage of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy courtesy of a penalty shoot-out win against Walsall in the previous round a month ago and will hope to get back to winning ways and pile more misery on North End chief Phil Brown on Tuesday.
Following a good start to the League One season, Brown’s Lilywhites have plummeted down the table to 13th position after Saturday’s 5-2 defeat at Charlton made it one point from seven league games and 21 goals shipped in that time.
A host of injury problems have not helped Brown in that time as he looks to beef up his squad with some loan signings ahead of the game as they look to secure a northern semi-final spot having also needed penalties to win at Morecambe in the last round.
However, Rochdale have problems in defence with loan defender Dean Holden cup-tied, Kim Balkestein still missing through injury, Joe Widdowson out with shin splints and Marc Twaddle currently unavailable, several youth players could feature.
It is a game that will pitch together two relatively local sides, both out of form and looking for a confidence-boosting win and it could well be a very tight affair on the night.
Prediction: Draw 90 Minutes @ 12/5
Value Bet: Preston/Draw Half Time/Full Time @ 12/1
Brentford v Bournemouth (7.45pm)
The pick of the southern quarter-finals sees two League One sides go head-to-head at Griffin Park.
The Bees have had an inconsistent season to date summed up by a home defeat to Stevenage, a home win against Chesterfield and an impressive 0-0 draw at Sheffield Wednesday in their previous three league outings.
However, they go into this tie on home soil boosted by the fact they romped to a 3-0 win at high-flying Charlton in the previous round.
Bournemouth, who defeated Yeovil 3-2 in the last round, have enjoyed an up-lift in form over the past fortnight with seven points out of a possible nine, which included wins against Scunthorpe and Preston sides that were relegated from the Championship last season.
The Cherries are set to sign Simon Francis from Charlton ahead of the game and he could feature as he was an unused substitute in the Addicks’ defeat to Brentford in the previous round.
It is a difficult one to call, but with home advantage in their favour Brentford should have just enough to edge through.
Prediction: Brentford Home 90 Minutes @ 5/6
Value Bet: Brentford To Win 2-1 Correct Score @ 7/1
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