Walsall await winners of Bristol City and Gils in JPT final

Bristol City have won four in a a row against Gillingham across all competitions, and in each of those victories has come for the Robins with both teams being on target. Back that combination again here in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy southern area final second leg with Coral at an awesome 11/5.

Steve Cotterill’s side are odds-on at 4/9 to win in 90 minutes, and joint-top of League One with a game in hand, though lost last time out at Ashton Gate, but gave a good account of themselves in FA Cup action against West Ham.A draw of any kind (10/3) still sends the Robins through as they already hold a 4-2 aggregate advantage over Gills from the first leg.

Kent club Gillingham sit just four points above the third tier drop zone, and are 6/1 outsiders to upset their hosts. They need to win by three clear goals, and that prospect is very remote indeed with their total being over 2.5 here at 14/1.

Hard as it is to make a case for Gills going through, their best hope will be forward Cody McDonald, who has three in his last two outings against Bristol City. Odds of 11/4 say he will score again anytime here.

The difference maker to this tie, however, is on-loan Robins target man Matt Smith. His four-goal haul in the first leg gives the home team their commanding lead. Punters will be not surprised to learn Smith is odds-on at 10/11 in the anytime market after striking six times in the last two head-to-heads.

Your best bet here is to take a fabulous 4/1 on Smith scoring two or more. Attacking partner Jay Emmanuel-Thomas (6/5) and wing back Scott Wagstaff (9/4) have also got goals against Gillingham this term, so are worth backing to be on target again anytime. Luke Freeman, meanwhile, is a tasty 10/3 after looking impressive against the Hammers.

As Cotterill plays with a back three, it makes Bristol City very open, and that is why backing them to win and both teams to score is such sensational value.