City can hold out for draw at 9-4

Bristol City can be expected to robustly defend their first-leg lead when Crystal Palace travel to Ashton Gate for the return leg of their Coca-Cola Championship play-off semi-final on Tuesday evening.

With the Robins leading 2-1 from Saturday, a draw will be good enough for Gary Johnson’s team to progress to Wembley and that outcome appeals as the best bet at general odds of 9-4.

City secured the advantage in a tight first encounter at Selhurst Park thanks to a well-worked set-piece and a stunning 30-yard strike in stoppage time from David Noble.

That chances were relatively few — Palace’s goal came from the penalty spot after a rare lapse in the City defence — owed much to both teams’ commitment and organisation and it is likely that the second leg will be equally hard fought.

Palace will again look to the pace and trickery of Victor Moses and loan signing Scott Sinclair but lack a physical presence in attack with manager Neil Warnock forced to employ defender Jose Fonte as a makeshift forward in the latter stages on Saturday.

The 8-13 that Skybet and Bet365 offer that the game sees no more than two goals appears fair. Similarly, a bet on no goalscorer at 17-2 with William Hill could pay dividends.

Palace are best-priced at 7-4 with Ladbrokes, City are available at 13-8 with Bet365.