Aldershot vs Bradford Predictions

As the non-league team, Aldershot are naturally second favourites, though they’re going up against a League One side that cannot buy a win, so the hosts may be confident, especially since they’re unbeaten at home in four at The Electrical Services Stadium.

Aside from the fact that the hosts are in better form in their own division than Bradford are in theirs, Aldershot will take confidence from the fact that they prevented the Bantams from winning at this venue (in this competition) back in 2015. What’s more, since 2014, the Shots have lost just one of eight home games in the FA Cup. They’ve beaten the likes of Portsmouth and drawn against both Rochdale and Bradford during that time, so they’ve got a pleasing recent record to fall back on.

Furthermore, the efforts of Gary Waddock’s men when playing at home this season have been reasonably pleasing. From an offensive point of view, Aldershot have been far from the best team in the National League, but they’ve defended well, which bodes well ahead of a match against a Bradford side that hasn’t exactly been firing on all cylinders in front of goal. The hosts have conceded just a single goal in their last three at home, while they’ve given up an average of just 1.01 expected goals at home during the current campaign.

As for the visitors, well, the Bantams could hardly be in worse form. Saturday’s visitors will arrive at The Electrical Services Stadium off the back of seven consecutive defeats. During that time, they’ve conceded an embarrassing total of 20 goals, while they’ve scored just six in reply. Furthermore, their defensive efforts when playing on the road don’t exactly suggest that they can go to Aldershot and keep things tight. The Bantams are surrendering an average of 2.66 expected goals on their travels in League One. Granted, Saturday’s hosts don’t have the attacking muscle that some of the top teams in League One have, but they’re no mugs and are unlikely to show any fear against such a weak back-line.

Given that there is a division between these two clubs, it’s easy to assume that Bradford should go to The Electrical Services Stadium and claim a routine win, though their recent performances have been so bad, that it’s tough to make a case for the League One club at the prices. Aldershot have lost just twice at home this season and it would be no surprise if they made life difficult for a visiting team that is running low on confidence.

Taking everything into consideration, at the prices, it’s worth backing that Aldershot are one of the National League teams in the hat for the second-round draw.