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Club News

BIG MATCH PREVIEW: CITY v FOREST GREEN ROVERS

23 August 2019

Club News

BIG MATCH PREVIEW: CITY v FOREST GREEN ROVERS

23 August 2019

The Bantams are preparing for their return to the Utilita Energy Stadium, ahead of tomorrow's visit of Forest Green Rovers (3.00pm).

City have won their last two games, after following up last Saturday’s 3-0 success over Oldham with a 1-0 victory at Stevenage.

Forest Green will provide tough opposition as they sit just one point behind the Bantams after four Sky Bet League Two outings. 

After a fifth-placed finish last season, both the Bantams and Mark Cooper's side have lofty ambitions for the season ahead.

Ahead of the first-ever meeting between the two teams, we have compiled a Big Match Preview packed full of everything you need to know...

TEAM NEWS 

City: Gary Bowyer stuck with an unchanged 11 against Stevenage, though Adam Henley is likely to ruled out through injury.

New arrival Callum Cooke could feature and there is a chance of a second debut for former Bantam Jamie Devitt, who arrived on loan from Blackpool earlier today.

Shay McCartan and Jordan Gibson come back into contention after missing out on Tuesday evening.

Forest Green: The Rovers have started the season strongly but could be tempted to change from the side beaten at Port Vale in midweek.

Mark Cooper is without the services of Liam Shephard, with the right back ruled out through injury.

Cooper, himself a native of West Yorkshire, has adopted a trusted 3-4-3 formation - and is expected to continue this against the Bantams.

WHAT THE MANAGERS SAID

Gary Bowyer: "Forest Green are a great example of a well-run club. Mark Cooper has been there for three years now and they produce fabulous footballers.

"They play the game in a brave manner with the way he encourages them.

"It has been good to watch in the videos. I like the way they go about it and they present us with a challenge again, as all the teams will.

"It will be a bit different to what we have encountered so far and we are really lookingforward to it."

Mark Cooper: “Bradford are effective. They play 4-4-2 and have two proven goal scorers in Clayton Donaldson and James Vaughan.

“You won’t get many better than them at this level.

“They will want to get the ball wide and put it in the box for those two.”

LAST TIME OUT 

This will be the inaugural encounter between City and the Gloucestershire-based Rovers.

MATCH OFFICIALS 

Andy Haines will referee the Bantams for the first time since the beginning of last season.

He will be assisted by Christopher Ward and Helen Byrne, with Matthew Parry stepping in as fourth official.

MATCH COVERAGE

Supporters unable to make it to the Utilita Energy Stadium tomorrow can follow match action via the club’s official Twitter page.

The live feed will provide minute-by-minute coverage of the clash in addition to updates on other social media outlets such as Facebook and Instagram.

Full audio match commentary is available to iFollow Bantams subscribers, while BBC Radio Leeds’ Tim Steere and Andy Kiwomya will provide live radio commentary on 774 MW.

IFollow subscribers can also catch all the reaction with post-match interviews and content, while supporters based outside the UK with a package can even tune into a live video stream!

BACK THE BANTAMS - WITH SKY BET

City supporters can back the Bantams for victory tomorrow with Sky Bet.

Gary Bowyer's men are currently placed as 4/5 strong favourites for victory against the Rovers. 

James Vaughan and Clayton Donaldson are both 4/1 favourites to open the scoring. 

City fans can place their bets by CLICKING HERE.

PLEASE NOTE: All odds are subject to change.

KIT COLOURS

City will continue in their home strip of claret and amber stripes for the visit of Forest Green, who will also be wearing their home colours - of green and black.

City: Claret and Amber Stripes / Black with Amber Detail / Black with Amber Detail

Rovers: Green and Black / Green / Green and Black


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