talkSPORT tips – Best football bets and expert advice for Thursday 14 May 

The second-leg of the League One play-off semi-final between Bradford and Bolton takes centre stage on a night which also features action from La Liga.

The Whites hold a 1-0 advantage as they head for Valley Parade and we have a trio of selections which make up our best bets of the day.

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Bet of the Day

Bolton to beat Bradford @ 8/5 

Bolton hold a slender 1-0 lead over promotion rivals Bradford when the pair clash in the second leg of their League One play-off semi-final and the Whites are well adept at keeping their opponents at bay.

The Trotters didn’t allow the Bantams a single shot on target and only three shots on goal on home turf on Saturday, only conceding an expected goals total of only 0.23.

Numbers don’t get you promotion, but Steven Schumacher’s men were the pick of League One on the data this season and Bolton were unfortunate not to finish closer to promotion duo Lincoln and Cardiff.

Bolton performed better than Bradford throughout the regular season. Even if the Bantams usurped the Trotters on the final day, and that was evident in Saturday’s first leg at the Toughsheet Community Stadium.

Bradford will likely be forced to chase the tie at some point, after falling 1-0 down and playing an open game is a dangerous move against Bolton.

The Whites scored 70 goals in 46 League One games and Schumacher’s men are fancied to reach the play-off final in style.

Bet Builder 

Real Madrid to win, over 2.5 goals and Kylian Mbappe 3+ shots on target and Trent-Alexander Arnold 1+ assist v Real Oviedo @ 6/1 

It’s been an unhappy season for Real Madrid, who were plunged into further chaos by last week’s training ground bust-up between Aurelien Tchouameni and Federico Valverde.

Sunday’s 2-0 El Clasico loss at Barcelona followed the unrest, but Los Blancos should restore some calm with a high-scoring win over already relegated Real Oviedo.

Jose Mourinho is heavily rumoured to take over from Alvaro Arbeloa at the Bernabeu. If confirmed, the former Chelsea boss will inherit a side that has won 11 of their last 14 home games and scored 35 goals in their previous 13 Bernabeu games.

Kylian Mbappe is expected to return from injury and is averaging 4.94 shots and 2.28 shots on target per 90 minutes in La Liga this season.

Oviedo are the Spanish top-flight’s bottom club and look vulnerable, with Trent Alexander-Arnold also tipped for an assist, having provided two across his last four home appearances.

Acca 

• Girona to beat Real Sociedad
• Valencia to beat Rayo Vallecano
• Young Boys to beat Thun 

Treble @ 11/1

Rayo Vallecano have won only four of their 17 away La Liga matches this season and the Red Sashes will no doubt have one eye on their Conference League final with Crystal Palace.

Valencia are fancied to send their fans home happy when the pair meet at Mestalla at 6pm.

Meanwhile, at 7pm, Girona host Copa del Rey winners Real Sociedad. The home side played well in a 1-1 draw at Rayo Vallecano last time out. 

The Catalans have lost only four of their last 14 home games and can boost their survival hopes by beating Sociedad, who are winless in five in La Liga and already appear to be looking toward the summer.

Earlier at 3.30pm, Young Boys are good enough to beat a Thun side lacking motivation. 

The Swiss champions have been enjoying their title-winning fun a little too much, losing five of their last six games, and Gerardo Seoane’s side can succeed on Thursday.

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Odds correct at time of publish and subject to change*

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