Burton Albion v Cheltenham predictions: Visitors have upset potential

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Burton Albion v Cheltenham in League One on Friday.

Where to watch

Sky Sports Football, 7.45pm Friday

Best bet

Cheltenham or draw double chance
2pts 7-10 BoyleSports

Team news

Burton
Kane Hemmings and Michael Bostwick are injury doubts while Deji Oshilaja and Jacob Maddox remain unavailable.

Cheltenham
Kyle Vassell has missed two games after being forced off in the 2-1 success at home to Ipswich.

Match preview

Cheltenham are three weeks into their first League One campaign since 2008-09 but have not looked out of place and can take at least a point against highflying Burton at the Pirelli Stadium.

Competing in the third tier is a challenge for Cheltenham, who have stuck largely with the same group responsible for last season's League Two title success, but they have taken four points, including a superb 2-1 success at home to Ipswich.

Michael Duff's men have also impressed in the League Cup and are through to the last 32 after coming through Tuesday's second-round tie at Gillingham, drawing 1-1 in normal time and winning 5-4 on penalties.

Seven changes were made at Gillingham but Duff will revert to a first-choice side for the trip to Staffordshire and hopes for a defensive improvement after his team lost 3-2 at Fleetwood last Saturday.

The Robins largely dominated against the Cod Army, winning the shot count 15 to eight, but were uncharacteristically poor at the back and conceded twice from set-pieces.

Coping with crosses was a Cheltenham strength last season and it needs to be spot on against Burton, who generally waste very little time in getting the ball into the box.

Burton favour a direct, physical style of play under Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and it has served them well.

They got out of a sticky situation last season, winning 12 of their final 22 league games to climb from 24th to 16th in the League One table. And the feelgood vibe has continued this term with the Brewers winning their opening three games.

However, the absentee list has been mounting and a makeshift Brewers side were beaten 3-0 at Cambridge last Saturday.

Nine points from a possible 12 is still a good start but last weekend was a tough experience and more points could be dropped against Cheltenham, who look on course to re-establish themselves as a League One side.

Key stat

Cheltenham have avoided defeat in eight of their last 11 matches

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