The Bantams have been handed a ticket allocation of around 5,500 for the tie at Elland Road on September 2 when the two neighbours will meet for the first time since 2001.

In the competition's 25-year history, the highest crowd for a non-final tie is the 21,390 that watched Sheffield Wednesday lose 2-0 at home to Blackpool in February, 2004.

And Rhodes, who says trade has been brisk at the Valley Parade ticket office since the draw for the first round paired City with Leeds, believes that figure could be beaten.

The Bantams joint chairman said: "It is a great tie for both clubs and a great tie for the competition. I spoke to Shaun (Harvey, United chief executive) soon after the draw and we both felt the game could attract a crowd of up to 25,000.

"Leeds were watched by a big crowd last season against Bury (when 18,809 watched a 2-1 win for the away side) so, hopefully, we can set a new competition record. The early indications in Bradford are that there is a big demand for tickets and, hopefully, we will sell our full allocation."

Leeds chief executive Harvey added: "We certainly anticipate a crowd in excess of 20,000, having been able to secure the co-operation of the police (in providing a large allocation of away tickets) with it not being a league game.

"Early indications are that this fixture will attract a larger crowd than the Carling Cup tie with Crystal Palace a week earlier," he added.

Ticket prices have been reduced and set at £15 for adults (£10 senior citizens/students and £5 juniors) with all areas of Elland Road being open apart from the East Stand Upper.

City fans will be housed in the South Stand and South East Corner.

The record attendance for a final is the 80,841 that watched Wolves beat Burnley 2-0 at Wembley in 1988.