As a four-time FA Cup winner as a player, Mark Hughes is no stranger to this competition, and he will be looking to bring his expertise to the forefront on Saturday against Bradford’s local rivals.
The Bantams have had a strong start to their campaign in League Two, and they currently find themselves in the League Two playoff positions, even though they have lacked consistency.
That has been on display in their previous six matches in all competitions, which has resulted in two victories, a defeat, and a trio of draws.
The Bantams head into this game on the back of three consecutive draws, with the latest being a 1-1 against Crawley Town where they were pulled back in the second half.
Bradford will also take confidence from the fact they have already defeated Harrogate Town this season, with the Bantams winning 2-1 when they last met
Andy Cook and Tyreik Wright got on the scoresheet that day for Hughes’s men, even though Jaheimq Headley had provided Harrogate with an equaliser early in the second half.
That game took place at Wetherby Road, yet the last two times the Sulphurites have made the journey to Bradford they have walked away with a victory
Simon Weaver will be hoping his team brings some of that energy this time around as they come into Saturday’s match on the back of three games without a win.
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Harrogate were involved in a five-goal thriller at the weekend against AFC Wimbledon, and despite leading 2-1 up until the final five minutes of the game, the Sulphurites left with nothing.
Weaver’s men have struggled so far this season as they sit 21st in the league table, but an FA Cup game could be what is needed to put their campaign back on track.
Cook is sure to be leading the line for the Bantams this weekend, as one of the most in-form strikers in the entire country, he brings a real threat to the game for them.
There could be opportunities for some minutes for the likes of Lee Angol and Colin Doyle as well, but Hughes is likely to name a strong starting XI here.
