Bradford v Arsenal: Gunners to avoid banana skin

Neutrals up and down the country will become one-night-only Bradford fans as the League Two minnows prepare to tackle Premier League behemoths Arsenal at Valley Parade.

Goliath is obviously clear favourite to win the bout at 4/11, though dreamers can back David at monstrous 13/2, while a price of 4/1 is on offer for the spoils to be shared after 90 minutes.

Arsenal’s infamous slip-up in the 2011 final of this competition gives the Bantams hope of making an unlikely semi-final here and there’ll be sure to be a couple of punts on the underdogs to qualify at a lofty 4/1.

No doubt that shock defeat to Birmingham will be playing on Arsene Wenger’s mind and the Frenchman has promised to field an experienced side in west Yorkshire as he bids to bring about an end to the Gunners’ seven-year wait for silverware.

Bradford are sure to have a good go at the north Londoners having only lost one of their last 11 games, but it’s unarguable that Arsenal have been handed the kindest of draws for the quarter-final and anything other than smooth progression will be unacceptable.

A two-goal handicap applied to Arsenal’s tally looks a safe bet bearing this in mind and offers great potential for pay out at 23/10. They’re also 27/10 to overcome a one-goal handicap and be leading at the break.

Given the footballing gulf that separates these two sides, the 11/8 for an away win to nil looks an excellent price, but it’s worth noting that Valley Parade wasn’t the happiest of hunting grounds for Arsenal during Bradford’s brief stint in the top flight.

They failed to win on both visits and couldn’t stop the home team scoring either so backing the Gunners to keep a clean sheet might not be advisable here. A much safer bet would be the 9/4 that says the visitors will win in 90 minutes with over 3.5 goals scored in the game.

All odds and markets accurate as of publication’s time and date