Bookie Watch - Bradford City v Reading FC

Well, it's the one we've been waiting for, the FA cup Quarter final is finally upon us, and Bookie Watch is back to hopefully try make a great day even better. Apologies if these bets all sound very negative, I'm trying not to out think myself with jinxing anything!

Reading go into the game as underdogs at 3.00 with Bradford being seen as slight favourites at 2.63, and the draw being available at 3.40. However, overall the bookies favour Reading to qualify overall, with odds of 1.83 available on Reading, however 2.10 is available on Bradford to make it to Wembley. I think a small bet on the Royals to qualify may be wise, a draw would be problematic, but Reading would still remain favourites to qualify in the case of a draw, and 1.83 gives very slight value I feel.

Bradford have played a quick high tempo game so far in the cup, flying out of the blocks in their games (especially against Millwall and Sunderland at home). Bradford are 2.05 to score first best odds, and think considering the way Reading have played in recent weeks may be worth putting a bet on. Bearing this in mind, I think Bradford to be winning at half time (3.30) is possibly also worth bearing in mind. The Bradford HT, draw FT ( 17.00) and Bradford HT/Reading FT at 36.00 is also worth a look.

Whilst the first goal will be extremely important, the second goal is going to be critical in the game and I can't see either team coming back from either a 0-2, or being able to play against momentum of a team who've come back from 1-0 down.

Jon Stead has been instrumental for the run Bradford have had so far, and the obvious answer would be to place a bet on him to score anytime (3.40), however the odds on Francois Zoko (on loan from Blackpool) at 4.50 to score at anytime I think are better, he has scored once so far in his five games in their midweek win against Crawley.

Reading I think will look to try and impose themselves early on Bradford, and odds of 17.00 for Pearce to stick a foot in early and try to hold up against the big man up front in Jon Stead (who has a great record against the Royals in the past) to receive the first yellow card of the afternoon are generous, and I will take a small stake on this.

I am not going to recommend any bets for the weekend, as frankly, the results of any bets are going to be secondary to the main result of the weekend. I hope you remain lucky this weekend.

Come on URZ!

#Gambleaware