Halifax hopeful Bradford’s dismal derby record continues in FA Cup

The FA Cup throws Halifax Town and Bradford City together for the first time since the hosts reformed, with Coral making them 11/5 to win. Naturally, Phil Parkinson’s League One Bantams are 6/5 favourites to defeat their near neighbours, but must be wary of a poor recent derby record.

In fact, Bradford have lost to fellow Yorkshire sides Doncaster Rovers, Sheffield United and Barnsley in the last few weeks. Fierce rivals Leeds United are the only team from ‘God’s own county’ that the Bantams have beaten this calendar year.

Halifax boss Neil Aspin will smell a romantic cup upset for the Conference Premier side, then, or at least holding their neighbours to a draw (12/5), meaning a replay. He has a number of players with local connections that will be keen to help him embarrass Bradford.

In goal, The Shay side have Matt Glennon, formerly of both the Bantams and Huddersfield Town. Odds of 15/4 say Town shall keep a clean sheet, with a win to nil a 6/1 shot.

In the spine of this Halifax side are former Bradford defender Steve Williams (10/1 to score anytime) and one-time long-serving Terriers player Danny Schofield (a more realistic 7/2 chance) further forward. Scott Boden, an ex-Chesterfield forward, will be in attack and it’s 9/5 he nets in this encounter.

James Hanson remains the Bantams’ top scorer despite an injury-hit campaign so far. He is at 6/4 to be on target against this non-league opposition anytime. In Hanson’s absence, there have been eight different men across the last seven matches, but Bradford have won none of those.

This poor form gives Parkinson cause for concern, and there should be more to come from Billy Clarke, a 9/5 anytime scorer chance. If the Bantams are to win this tie, then, it looks like being with both teams netting and that combination of occurrences is 16/5.