ON PAPER, the duel at the New Meadow tomorrow has 'away win' written all over it.

Following successive victories, City appear to have finally turned the corner, stopped drawing matches they could have won and climbed to fourth.

Shrewsbury, by contrast, have accumulated less than half of City's points and suffered a 2-0 defeat when the sides met in October, so perhaps it's no wonder that William Hill price them at 7-2 to win.

However, given what's at stake for the home side, who have flirted uncomfortably close to the League One relegation zone all season, this is no foregone conclusion. City might be Skybet's even money jollies but few punters are anticipating a walkover.

Most backers expect it to be dominated by defences and 888sport offer 13-5 for the draw and BetVictor's 11-2 for both halves to end all-square.

Elsewhere, 10bet chalk an attractive 15-2 for a 1-0 away victory, while BetVictor's 5-4 for the match to yield fewer than 2.5 goals looks decent value and the 9-5 Ladbrokes offer for the Bantams to retain a clean sheet has proved popular.

Paddy Power rate the chances of City winning without conceding to be a 14-5 shot and 188bet post 10-3 in favour of them enjoying a one-goal victory.

* Odds courtesy of customisable odds comparison site www.smartbets.com