Prediction Cheltenham Town vs Bradford City 2025/2026 season – Betting Tips for the FA Cup on 01/11/2025

A cup clash with clear favourites but plenty to play for

The FA Cup first round tie at The EV Charger Points Stadium promises a classic lower-league tussle when Cheltenham Town host Bradford City on 01/11/2025. On paper the market is leaning heavily toward the away side: bookmakers price Bradford at 1.53 with an implied probability north of 65%, while Cheltenham are long shots at 6.00. That gulf tells you the betting public and the bookies are expecting Bradford to impose themselves, but cup football rarely travels in a straight line and Cheltenham arrive with confidence from recent results.

Form and recent encounters

Cheltenham come into the game buoyed by a penalty shoot-out success against Tottenham U21 and a narrow league win over Walsall two matches earlier. Their recent sequence reads as mixed but resilient: they have fought out draws and squeezed wins in a run that shows character, particularly at home where they will enjoy the familiarity of Whaddon Road and the backing of a compact 7,066-capacity crowd. Bradford’s last five results show a string of draws punctuated by a convincing 5-1 victory over Everton U21 and a 0-0 stalemate with Lincoln City in their most recent outing — evidence of both attacking potency and pragmatic defensive organisation. The clubs’ most recent head-to-head in March produced a 3-0 win for Bradford, a reminder that they can be incisive against Cheltenham when they hit the right rhythm.

Key variables shaping the market

Bookmakers’ heavy backing of Bradford reflects consistent league performances and a lower margin of error on the road this season. Cheltenham’s cup win on penalties highlights their ability to grind out results under pressure, but the odds suggest that Bradford’s blend of recent form and prior dominance in their last meeting gives them the edge. From a tactical betting perspective, the probability of a Bradford victory is the clearest signal here, while the draw remains a tempting outsider if you expect Cheltenham to rely on home grit and set-piece scrappiness.

For readers wanting to sharpen their approach before backing, consider brushing up on broader strategy and market selection with a primer on Soccer betting tips and the choice of markets, or temper your stake-sizing by reviewing how to keep cool when the nerves kick in via How to have emotional control when placing bets?

Betting suggestion: 1X2 market — Bradford City to win. The bookmakers’ pricing at 1.53 reflects both recent league consistency and a favorable head-to-head history; a confident play for bettors seeking a straight market selection in this FA Cup tie.