Conventional wisdom may suggest that Bradford City’s miraculous run to the Capital One Cup final, and their 5-0 hammering at Wembley by Swansea City, would have seen their league season peter out, but the Bantams have gone from strength to strength in the football betting markets since their defeat to the Swans.

In their fifteen league games since the Capital One Cup final Bradford have lost only twice, including a defeat to promoted Rotherham, a run which has seen them sneak into the playoffs after finishing seventh in the league. Having qualified narrowly for the playoffs the Bantams have now secured a return trip to Wembley where they will face Northampton Town on 18^th May and, given their form since missing out on a historic victory against Swansea, they will have every confidence of a return to League One next season.

In the last ten games of the season Bradford City sat in third place in the League Two form table, having taken 18 points from a possible 30. During this time Northampton Town sat in 11^th place, despite losing just one more game than Phil Parkinson’s men.  The key difference between the two sides seems to be their ability in front of goal and this is where Bradford could have the edge on Saturday. During their last ten league games Bradford City scored an average of 1.5 goals per game, not to mention the five goals that they bagged over two legs in the play-off semi final against Burton Albion. Over this period Northampton averaged just 0.9 goals per game compared with their overall season average of 1.4 and they netted just twice over the two legs of their play-off victory over Cheltenham.

It is unclear whether Northampton’s lack of potency in front of goal towards the back end of the season came as a result of fatigue, or if they let their standards slip having ensured qualification for the playoffs, but Bradford City will certainly be confident of outscoring them on Saturday. If the Bantams’ form since the Cup Final defeat is anything to go by, then the game against Northampton should provide them with a great opportunity to banish the memories of their last Wembley trip.

The FA Cup fourth round gets underway next weekend with 32 teams battling it out for the right to progress in football’s most historic club competition. Recently the Premier League betting news has been dominated by some biggish upsets such as Southampton drawing with Chelsea, Reading’s comeback against Newcastle and Tottenham’s 90th minute equaliser against Man United. The FA Cup is something different and draw has thrown up some enticing match-ups, with the likelihood of a Cup upset on the cards as teams enter a busy spring period in the calendar.

Of the 20 Premier League teams to enter in the third round, 13 have survived to reach the fourth – showcasing just how seriously top-flight clubs are taking this tournament. Yet these sides must be careful in this fourth round, as there are some plucky smaller teams determined to cause an upset.

Brighton fans will be optimistic their side can overturn Arsenal after defeating Newcastle for the second time in successive years to reach the fourth round. Gus Poyet’s men are on a four-game unbeaten streak averaging 2.25 goals per game in 2013. They’ve lost just once at home since mid-October and face an Arsenal side with just one win in five, prior to tonight’s re-arranged game with West Ham. These stats are certainly worth bearing in mind if you bet on football with bet365.

Norwich City may also fall victim to Blue Square Premier side Luton Town: undefeated in five and victorious over Wolves in the third round. Chris Hughton’s men, meanwhile, head into the fixture off a 5-0 defeat at Liverpool and without a Premier League win in six.

Macclesfield, who have won three of their last four, host a Wigan side with just one win in five; while Leeds, who have won their last six league games at Elland Road, face Spurs without a win in two.

Lower-league clubs, therefore, will fancy their chances against stuttering top-flight opponents and must be eyeing up a lucrative fifth-round clash off the back of it. The FA Cup is the home of upsets and teams will be hoping to use their form to their advantage and scalp one of the big boys.