SOUTHEND UNITED (Home), Tuesday 18 October 2016, Sky Bet League One, Northern Commercials Stadium, kick off 7:45pm
The Bantams entertain Southend United at the Northern Commercials Stadium this Tuesday evening looking to get back to winning ways after their long unbeaten start to the league season was ended at Oxford United at the weekend.
With the game goalless going into injury time, City were heading for a thirteenth match unbeaten in Sky Bet League One on Saturday until Chris Maguire's ninety-first minute free-kick dramatically handed all three points to Oxford.
Opponents Southend also won 1-0 last time out, defeating Chesterfield at Roots Hall thanks to Adam Thompson's first half goal.
The victory over Chesterfield was the Shrimpers' third in their last four home matches, in fact only an injury time equaliser from Peterborough United's Marcus Maddison prevented Southend from making four in four.
Southend's form away from home so far this season is a different story, however, with Phil Brown's side having conceded fourteen goals in their six league games on the road.
Most of those goals conceded came during heavy defeats at Northampton, Rochdale and Scunthorpe, although Southend have managed to pick up a 1-1 draw at Bolton and an impressive 3-0 win at Sheffield United during their travels.
Southend currently sit in nineteenth place in the League One table, three points above the relegation zone.
Team News
Bradford City
City boss Stuart McCall says he will wait until the last minute before checking on the fitness of James Meredith to give the left back every chance of featuring against Southend.
The Australian jarred his right ankle at Oxford on Saturday, with Matthew Kilgallon stepping in as his replacement during the game at the Kassam Stadium.
Should Meredith miss out on Tuesday though, Kilgallon will be favourite to once again take his place in City's back four.
Fit-again James Hanson will compete for a starting berth this Tuesday after staying in Bradford over the weekend for extra training sessions while the squad were down south in Oxford.
Tony McMahon is making steady progress from a thigh injury but this game will certainly come too soon for the defender.
Southend United
Shrimpers boss Phil Brown will check on the fitness of Nile Ranger after the striker played an important role in Saturday's win over Chesterfield.
Ranger managed to last 77 minutes of the fixture at Roots Hall but Brown conceded after the match that the forward might not be able to start two games in quick succession.
Southend trio Stephen McLaughlin, Ryan Leonard and Simon Cox are expected to be fit despite all receiving treatment at some point during the Chesterfield match.
All other members of Southend's squad, apart from Michael Timlin (hamstring), are likely to be up for selection as well.
This could mean another return to Valley Parade for former Bantams midfielder Will Atkinson, who left City to join Southend back in July 2013.
Another notable name in Southend's possible line up this Tuesday evening could be experienced defender Anton Ferdinand.
The former West Ham United, Sunderland and QPR centre half signed for Southend at the end of August.
Ticket News
Match tickets for tonight's fixture will be available from the ticket office at the Northern Commercials Stadium right up until kick off (7:45pm) - please click HERE for more information.
Stadium Access
All of the necessary pre-match stadium access details for tonight's fixture can be found
HERE.
Recent Visits
The Bantams ran out 2-0 winners last time to two sides met at Valley Parade back in February this year.
Tony McMahon's fine first half free-kick was added to by a James Hanson header from a McMahon corner after the restart to give City the victory.
City also entertained Southend during their famous history-makers 2012/2013 season.
Played on Good Friday, the fixture saw Southend race into a two-goal lead via strikes from Gavin Tomin and Britt Assombalonga on ten and eleven minutes respectively.
The Bantams fought back in the second period, however, with goals from Zavon Hines and Hanson rescuing a draw.
Hanson has actually scored in his last three consecutive home games against Southend, his other goal coming in a 2-0 win for City over the Shrimpers back in April 2012, ironically also on Good Friday.
Last Time Out
Chesterfield 0
Southend United 1 (Thompson 29)
Sky Bet League One
Saturday 15 October 2016
SOUTHEND UNITED (4-4-2): Oxley; Demetriou, Thompson, Ferdinand, Coker; McLaughlin (McGlashan 69), Leonard, Wordworth, Atkinson; Cox, Ranger (Fortune 77)
Subs not used: Smith, White, Mooney, King, Inniss
Southend's previous five in the league (from left to right): W - L - D - W - L
Match Official: TREVOR KETTLE
Tonight's match referee will be taking charge of his eighth fixture this season, having already officiated in Sky Bet League One, League Two and the Checkatrade Trophy.
Mr Kettle's last City match was the club's home game against Burton Albion back in March, a game the Bantams won 2-0 thanks to goals from Kyel Reid and Reece Burke.
Back the Bantams with Sky Bet
City supporters can back Stuart McCall's Bantams with Sky Bet when they entertain Southend United this Tuesday.
.14/5 to pick up all three points against the Shrimpers at the Northern Commercials Stadium. The draw is currently priced at 3/5McCall's men are available with the EFL's title sponsors at
to score the opening goal.5/1, while Marc McNulty is also currently at 11/2The Bantams can be backed to win 2-0 at
to score at anytime throughout the match.6/1Romain Vincelot is
.www.skybet.com
City fans can place their bets for the Southend fixture by clicking on the following link -
There are as many as 69 different betting options with Sky Bet for Tuesday's game.
Please note, all odds are subject to change.
For those unable to get to the Northern Commercials Stadium this Tuesday evening, City supporters can follow live updates from the Southend fixture via the club's official Facebook and Twitter pages.Coverage
Full audio match commentary of the Southend match can be found via Bantams Player HD. Join Pulse 2's Jon Francis and Chris Cooper for match action and reaction from the game.
Bantams Player HD is also the place for post-match interviews from McCall and his players, plus extended match highlights over the week.
Supporters can subscribe to Bantams Player HD for as little as £4.49 per month.
The official website, Twitter and Facebook pages will also have post-match reaction from the City camp following the Southend game.
Bantams Player HD -
HERE
Facebook -
HERETwitter -
HERE