The Bantams entertain Rotherham United at the Northern Commercials Stadium this Tuesday (7 November 2017) for their final group game in this season's Checkatrade Trophy.
After winning their first two group games and securing qualification for the knock-out stages, City now know they need only a single point from their encounter with the Millers to claim top spot and a home tie in the next round.
Currently sitting bottom of Northern Group F, opponents Rotherham head to Valley Parade knowing that only a victory will keep hopes alive of qualifying along with the Bantams.
Team News
Bradford City
Bantams boss Stuart McCall has confirmed that attacking trio Omari Patrick, Dominic Poleon and Shay McCartan will all feature in the game.
Fit-again German shot-stopper Rouven Sattelmaier is also set to play against Rotherham.
For Sattelmaier, the game-time will be his first action since damaging his hamstring in City's opening group game in the Checkatrade Trophy at Chesterfield in late August.
Members of City's development squad - including Tyrell Robinson, Jordan Gibson and Daniel Pybus - are likely to get another chance to impress in the competition, with Robinson expected to begin the game from left back.
Rotherham United
Following Rotherham's first round exit in the Emirates FA Cup at the hands of Crewe Alexandra at the weekend, Millers boss Paul Warne has hinted that he may use Tuesday's game as an opportunity to give some of his more senior squad members a chance to get the defeat out of their systems.
After starting on the bench at Gresty Road on Saturday, Millers trio Anthony Forde, Jonson Clarke-Harris and Jerry Yates could all feature at Valley Parade.
Millers skipper Lee Frecklington has been sidelined recently with injury and Warne may look to use Tuesday's game as an opportunity to ease the midfielder back into action.
Tickets
Match ticket details for Tuesday's game can be found HERE.
Stadium Entry Details
Important access details for this Tuesday's match - HERE.
Match Officials
The full list of match officials for Tuesday's match can be seen below:
Referee: Robert Lewis
Assistant Referee: Richard Wild
Assistant Referee: Simon Clayton
Fourth Official: David Webb
Kick Off Reminder
A respectful reminder to supporters, Tuesday's game will kick off at 7:30pm.
Penalties?
Should Tuesday's match end with the scores level after ninety minutes, both sides will receive a point each. The two teams will then take part in a penalty shoot-out to decide who will receive the secondary 'bonus' point.
Read Stuart McCall's thoughts ahead of Tuesday's game - HERE.
Group standings ahead of tonight’s match
|
Checkatrade Trophy - Northern Group F 2017/18 |
||||||||||
|
# |
Team |
Pl |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
GD |
Pts |
|
|
1 |
Bradford City |
2 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
6 |
3 |
3 |
6 |
|
|
2 |
Chesterfield |
2 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
4 |
5 |
-1 |
3 |
|
|
3 |
Manchester City U21 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
-1 |
2 |
|
|
4 |
Rotherham United |
2 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
-1 |
1 |
|
Remaining matches in Group F
Wednesday 29 November 2017
Chesterfield vs Manchester City U21s (kick off 7:00pm)
Some of the main rules and regulations for this season's Checkatrade Trophy.
- Three points are awarded for a win. One point each for a draw. If the game does indeed end in a draw after 90 minutes, the match will go straight to penalties to decide which side wins the bonus point.
- Penalties will take place using the new 'ABBA' system.
- The tournament will now be regionalised until the quarter-final stage.
- Each EFL Club must play its 'Full Available Strength' in and during all matches.
- Full Available Strength means EFL clubs must include at least four qualifying players in the ten outfield players named in their starting XI.
- The four qualifying players must either (a) start the preceding fixture (b) start the fixture immediately after (c) be in the top ten of appearance makers for the club so far that season (d) have made forty or more first team starting appearances in their career to date.
- Clubs can name seven substitutes on their team-sheet and bring three players onto the field of play.
- Cautions and dismissals are treated separately under The FA Disciplinary procedures from all other first team matches.
Back the Bantams with Sky Bet!
City supporters can back the Bantams for success this Tuesday at home to Rotherham United with Sky Bet!
Stuart McCall's side are currently priced at 6/4 to defeat Rotherham at the Northern Commercials Stadium.
The Bantams are also priced at 11/1 to beat Rotherham by a 2-0 scoreline.
Dominic Poleon is available at 5/1 to opening the scoring, while Shay McCartan can be backed at 11/4 to score at anytime during the game.
Fans can place their bets now with Sky Bet by clicking HERE.
There is currently 71 separate betting markets open for this game.
Please note, odds are subject to change.
Coverage
For those unable to get to Northern Commercials Stadium on Tuesday, City supporters can follow live updates from the Rotherham United match via the club's official Facebook and Twitter pages.
Full audio match commentary of the Rotherham game can be found via iFollow Bantams. Keep up to date with BBC Radio Leeds' Tim Steere for match action and reaction from the game.
Video post-match interviews from Stuart McCall and his players, plus extended match highlights over the coming days, is also available via iFollow.