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Match Previews

Preview: Bradford City

1 December 2020

Match Previews

Preview: Bradford City

1 December 2020

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Following Saturday's triumph in the FA Cup second round it's a return to League Two action on Tuesday evening and a trip north to Bradford City (kick-off: 7pm).

Michael Duff will be hoping his players can get right back to producing winning performances in the bread and butter of the league with the Bantams set to provide another stern test.

As we enter the final month of 2020 the Utilita Energy Stadium is the destination in West Yorkshire for the Robins.

You can watch the game in full by purchasing a match pass on iFollow.

Team news

Conor Thomas is likely to miss the match through injury, while Sean Long also misses out as he makes progress on his return from a hip injury.

Check out Michael Duff's pre-match press conference previewing the match.

Opposition

Bradford have failed to register a win in their last three league outings and will be keen to return to winning ways soon as they currently sit 20th in the division.

They were in FA Cup second round action on Saturday in an all-League Two tie with Oldham Athletic, though they bowed out of the competition with a 2-1 loss.

Their squad boasts some highly experienced Football League players, starting at the back with goalkeeper Richard O'Donnell, who has been with the Bantams since 2018 having previously spent time at Bristol City, Walsall and Rotherham United among others earlier on in his career.

The Bradford defensive set-up includes Limerick born Paudie O'Connor, ex-Aberdeen man Anthony O'Connor and Ben Richards-Everton who scored for them against Cheltenham last season at the Jonny-Rocks Stadium. They can also select youngsters Tyler French and Finn Cousin-Dawson if required.

In midfield Callum Cooke, Dylan Mottley-Henry, Zeli Ismail are possible picks alongside the leadership provided by former Portsmouth man Gareth Evans.

Up top 36-year-old Clayton Donaldson is another leading light in their set-up. Fellow front man Lee Novak though may not feature having recently been carrying an injury.

They may otherwise turn to the experienced Billy Clarke, while Austin Samuels is an option on loan from Premier League Wolves.

The manager: Stuart McCall

Bradford showed their faith in manager Stuart McCall by rewarding him with a contract extension recently.

The 40-time Scotland international is now in his third permanent spell as manager of the Bantams after being appointed in February.

It's a club he knows well having started his playing days there in the 1980s, going onto play over 400 times in the Football League for them.

His playing days as a midfielder also took him to Everton, Rangers and Sheffield United.

Other spells he's had as a manager include in Scotland with Motherwell, Scunthorpe United and as a caretaker at Rangers.

One to watch: Billy Clarke

Irishman Billy Clarke has been on the books at Bradford since the summer after re-joining following time at Grimsby Town at the end of last season.

The 32-year-old forward has four goals to his name for the Bantams so far this season in what is his third permanent spell.

After being born in Cork, Ireland, he moved to England to start his career with Ipswich before eventually moving onto Crawley, a first spell at Bradford, Charlton Athletic, Plymouth Argyle and then Grimsby last season.

The ex-Republic of Ireland under-21 international has also played in Scotland having had a loan stint at Falkirk earlier on in his career when he represented the Bairns in the SPL.

Watch the match live on iFollow

Purchase a match pass online and watch Tuesday's encounter in full on iFollow.

A match pass is on sale for £10 for the game and you can enjoy the whole 90 minutes from the comfort of your own home.

Coverage

Stay in touch with events at the Utilita Energy Stadium by following the club's social media channels. Follow @CTFCofficial on Twitter for team news, updates and photos from the game. You can also keep an eye on goal updates on our Facebook page and Instagram account.

After the game visit the club website to read a match report and to get reaction from the manager and a player.

Extended highlights will be available to watch on the club's iFollow channel.


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