National League side Aldershot Town make the trip Valley Parade to face League Two outfit Bradford City in the first round of the FA Cup on Saturday afternoon.
Both teams enter this contest on the back of losing in the league last weekend, with the Bantams suffering defeat at home to Doncaster Rovers and the Shots coming up short away against Hartlepool United.
Match preview
© Imago
Competing in League Two for the sixth successive season, Bradford have won six, drawn four and lost four of their first 14 matches in 2024-25, and they enter Saturday's FA Cup tie on the back of failing to win their last two fourth-tier matches.
A run of three consecutive wins was brought to an end by Cheltenham Town (1-1) a fortnight ago, before the Bantams suffered a 2-1 defeat at home to Doncaster Rovers last weekend, with Andy Cook's 10th goal of the campaign, netted seven minutes from time, proving to be merely a consolation.
Graham Alexander felt that his Bradford side paid the price for two 'poor' second-half concessions against Doncaster and the defeat has seen them slip to seventh in the League Two table, albeit only four points behind the top two.
Bradford have now turned their attention to the FA Cup, a "special" competition in the eyes of Alexander who is tasked with steering the Bantams into the second round for the first time since 2020-21.
Success is not a given against Saturday's opponents Aldershot, though, as they humbled League Two Swindon Town 7-4 in round one last year before beating champions Stockport County 1-0 in a second-round replay. A third-round clash with Championship outfit West Bromwich Albion (4-1) prove to be a step too far, though.
The Shots are competing in the National League for the 12th successive season and currently sit 17th in the table after winning four, drawing six and losing six of their 16 matches, most recently losing 2-0 at Hartlepool United last weekend.
In the FA Cup, Tommy Widdrington's side left it late to get the better of Bath City in the fourth qualifying round three weeks ago, with Maxwell Mullins netting a dramatic 98th-minute winner to secure their spot in the first-round proper.
Aldershot are now preparing to face Bradford for the third time across their last five FA Cup campaigns. In their previous two meetings with the Bantams, the Shots were eliminated in the first round despite forcing a replay on both occasions, with a 2-0 defeat in 2015-16 followed by a 5-2 loss on penalties in 2018-19.
Team News
© Imago
Bradford are still having to cope without Antoni Sarcevic and Aden Baldwin as they continue to recover from respective knee and hamstring injuries, while Saturday's game will also come too soon for Clarke Oduor (knock).
With Alexander set to ponder making some changes to his team, Vadaine Oliver, Olly Sanderson, Corry Evans, Paul Huntington and Colin Doyle will all be hoping to force their way into the starting lineup.
As for Aldershot, Christian Maghoma has missed the last three games with an Achilles injury and the central defender is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
Widdrington will likely name a strong side on Saturday, with Josh Barrett and James Henry, who have scored 10 goals between them so far this season, both expected to start in advanced-midfield positions.
Bradford City possible starting lineup:
Doyle; Kelly, Byrne, Huntington; Benn, Walker, Evans, Pattison, Richards; Cook, Sanderson
Aldershot Town possible starting lineup:
Dewhurst; Jones, Menayese, Byrd, Scott; Akpan, Hargreaves; Frost, Henry, Barrett; Ghanour
We say: Bradford City 2-1 Aldershot Town
Aldershot will not be taken lightly by Bradford considering how far they have pushed them in previous years, as well as other EFL clubs in this competition. However, the Bantams will still be regarded as favourites to come out on top, even if they decide to make a few changes.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Oliver Thomas
