FA Cup: Bradford vs Reading match preview
A look ahead to this weekend's FA Cup fixture at Valley Parade
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Bradford City will be hoping their incredible FA Cup run continues when they face Championship outfit, Reading on Saturday lunch-time.
They became heroes when they knocked out Premier League leaders Chelsea and went one better when they defeated Sunderland to reach the quarter-finals. Reading’s route has been less heroic but their one-goal victories were crucial nonetheless.
It will be a first meeting between these sides in FA Cup competition as the two clubs have never faced each other. It could be another first for Reading if they win as they have never reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup. The Championship side lost out at the same stage back in 2011 when they were defeated 1-0 at home to Manchester City. The last time Bradford reached the semi-finals, back in 1911, they went on to win the FA Cup.
Bradford haven’t been shy of scoring so far in this season’s FA Cup campaign and in-form striker, Jon Stead, will hope to add his name to the score sheet once again – he’s already netted in four of Bradford’s five FA Cup matches so far. Reading haven’t been quite so prolific but have at least managed to keep one clean sheet in the campaign which is more than Bradford City can boast.
If you’re hoping for an FA Cup upset, you can’t help but feel the League One outfit, Bradford City, may be the team to accomplish it in this season’s quarter-finals. They’ve already done it twice, but can they do it a third time?
KICK-OFF: Saturday, 12.45pm
STATS…
Bradford City striker Jon Stead has scored in every one of their FA Cup games this season apart from their round three clash with Millwall. Filipe Morais has scored in 3/5 games.
Bradford City have been helped out by two own goals in their five FA Cup matches this season – no other team left in the competition has had any own goals given for them.
Reading have won all their games in the FA Cup this season by a one-goal margin.
Out of the sides left in the quarter finals, Bradford have scored the joint highest goals in the competition (13) and Reading have the joint lowest (5.)
ODDS…
Bradford to win: 6/4
Reading to win: 15/8
Draw: 11/5
TV: BT Sport 1 live at 12.45pm
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