MARK Hughes is banking on the bookies finally getting it spot on with the Bantams this season.

City are second favourites to go up from League Two with the major odds-makers.

It is a familiar scenario for the club to be among the top picks – only newly-promoted Stockport are a shorter bet – but they have struggled to match the hype.

Hughes is hoping that this time will be different as they head into the eagerly-awaited Valley Parade opener against Doncaster on Saturday.

“We’ll always start as one of the favourites just because of the size of the crowds we get,” he said.

“The bookies are usually right - but they haven’t been with us in the past last few years. Let’s hope that’s different this year.”

Hughes already has his team in mind for the weekend – his first opening-day involvement since 2018.

With over 17,000 tickets sold and a huge flag display planned for the Kop, his sense of anticipation is as great as the supporters.

“It’s going to be great and we’re looking forward to it,” he added. “There’s all the emotion of the first game.

“You never lose the enthusiasm or buzz for the first game of the season. It’s a special day in the football calendar and one that everyone in the game looks forward to.

“Everybody’s excited and we’ve got to make sure that at the end of the game that excitement is still building.

“The whole focus of pre-season is the initial period and the first game. We’re within days of it now so everybody is excited with what’s ahead of us.

“We need to get started now. We’ve done our work and we’re ready to get into the real stuff.”

Several of the City squad were put through their final paces in a behind-closed-doors defeat at Sheffield Wednesday on Tuesday. Hughes felt it was a useful work-out.

“A few of the lads needed more minutes in the legs. Sheffield Wednesday were the same, so it suited both parties and it was a good, competitive game.

“Both teams got what they needed out of it. Everyone came through okay and we got another hour into the senior lads, which was important.

“We’re going to have pretty much a full complement, albeit without the ones who’ve not had a lot of game time in pre-season.

“The likes of Gilly (Alex Gilliead) and Hendo (Luke Hendrie) haven’t joined into the group. But Levi (Sutton) came through on Tuesday and Liam Ridehalgh is looking strong again, so that’s important.

“We’re in good shape so I’ve got lots of options at the weekend.”

Hughes has put his own stamp on the club with 14 signings over the summer.

“I’ve brought a lot of players in. It will be shaped how I want and hopefully we will play the kind of stuff that I want to see.

“Last year was invaluable, as I’ve said many times, because I was able to understand the group and the league.

“It was really important during that period and it’s enabled me to shape the squad as a consequence.

“The players who are still here know how I work and that’s helped the guys coming in. We’ve got a core group that’s been with me towards the latter end of last season and understand what I’m after.”