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Bradford 8-11 to win on second trip to Wembley 

THE FOOTBALL LEAGUE play-off finals begin on Saturday when Bradford face Northampton in the League Two showpiece (1.30pm, Sky Sports 1).

The Bantams are playing under the famous arch for the second time this season, having lost 5-0 to Swansea in the Capital One Cup final following a giantkilling run.

Bradford are favourites this time around, though, on offer at 8-11 for promotion and 7-5 to win in 90 minutes against Northampton, who they are meeting for the fifth time this season - there were two Bradford 1-0 wins in the league, and a dramatic FA Cup tie that the Bantams finally won on penalties.

The Cobblers, who finished one place above their opponents in sixth, are 11-10 to be playing in League One next season and 23-10 to find a way past Bradford in 90 minutes, having had the easier semi-final passage with a pair of 1-0 wins against Cheltenham.

Bradford had to overturn a 3-2 home defeat by Burton in the first leg of their last-four clash to seal a return to Wembley.

Nahki Wells of City is 9-2 favourite to open the scoring with Cobblers icon Adebayo Akinfenwa 6-1 to do likewise, although he is enduring his longest goalless streak of the season.

The Cobblers are virtually at full strength, with only broken-leg victim Alex Nicholls sidelined, though Bradford-born boss Aidy Boothroyd must decide whether to reinstate skipper Kelvin Langmead to his defence after centre-back pairing Clarke Carlisle and Nathan Cameron kept two clean sheets in the play-offs.

Midfielder Kyel Reid is Bradford's biggest doubt after aggravating a groin injury against Burton. Will Atkinson and Zavon Hines would hope to be involved if Reid is not passed fit.

Brentford are 8-11 for promotion from League One, with Yeovil 6-5. The Bees meet the Glovers at Wembley on Sunday afternoon.

 

 

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