The Bantams look to get back to winning ways on Saturday afternoon (3.00pm) - hosting Carlisle United at the Utilita Energy Stadium.
The Cumbrians have enjoyed a good start to the season and sit fifth in the table - recording eight wins, two draws and five losses.
Chris Beech’s side ran out 2-1 winners over Salford City during the week. The victory left them four points off the summit of Sky Bet League Two.
We have put together this Opposition Guide to take you through all of the key information you will need ahead of Saturday’s visitors.
TRANSFER ACTIVITY
The Cumbrians made 19 summer signings, with 13 further players departing the club.
INS: Gavin Reilly (Bristol Rovers), Jack Armer (Preston North End), Paul Farman (Stevenage), George Tanner (Manchester United), Brennan Dickenson (Exeter City), Rod McDonald (AFC Wimbledon), Daniel Devine (Bradford City), Joe Riley (Bradford City), Gime Touré (Hartlepool United), Marcus Dewhurst (Sheffield United, loan), Ethan Walker (Preston North End, loan), Connor Malley (Middlesbrough, loan), Magnus Norman (Fulham), Joshua Kayode (Rotherham United, loan), Micah Obiero (Huddersfield Town, loan), Dean Furman (unassigned), Liam Lightfoot (Kendal Town, loan), Charlie Barnes (Kendal Town, loan), Rhys Bennett (unassigned).
OUTS: Jack Bridge (Concord Rangers), Nathaniel Knight-Percival (Morecambe), Gethin Jones (Bolton Wanderers), Jack Iredale (Cambridge United), Harry McKirdy (Port Vale), Byron Webster (Bromley), Stefan Scougall (Alloa Athletic), Mike Jones (Barrow), Adam Collin (Kettering Town), Louis Gray (Chester), Keighran Kerr (Carlisle City), Mohammed Sagaf (unassigned), Kelvin Etuhu (unassigned).
ONES TO WATCH
Lewis Alessandra
The 31-year-old striker signed for Carlisle in January on a short-term deal, and has since extended his contract, keeping him at the club until the end of this season.
Alessandra is a product of the Oldham Athletic academy and represented the Latics 76 times, scoring eight goals in the process. He then enjoyed notable spells at Plymouth Argyle, Hartlepool United and Notts County.
Dean Furman
Furman made his first professional appearances for Rangers against Dundee United at the end of the 2007/08 campaign before joining the Bantams on a season-long loan. The 32-year old made 33 appearances for City, scoring four goals during Stuart McCall’s first managerial spell at the club.
The experienced midfielder has represented South Africa 56 times, scoring 4 goals. Oldham Athletic signed Furman in 2009 where he went on to make over 150 appearances for the club, before moving to Doncaster Rovers in 2013. The South African international joined Carlisle at the start of the season, following a successful trial period.
Jon Mellish
Mellish started off his time at Carlisle as a defender before manager Chris Beech converted him to a midfielder last season. He earned a contract extension through his adaptability to the new role, keeping him at the club until the end of this season.
The Cumbrians signed the 23-year old midfielder from Gateshead in 2019 after spending three seasons at the North East club. He is Carlisle’s top goal-scorer so far this season, bagging 10 goals.
THE MANAGER
Chris Beech was appointed head coach of Carlisle United in November 2019 following a lengthy spell at Rochdale - where he assisted Keith Hill - from 2013 until March 2019.
The former midfielder started off his playing career with Blackpool in 1993 before going on to represent Hartlepool United, Huddersfield Town and Rochdale.
LAST TIME OUT
The Cumbrians beat Salford City 2-1 in Sky Bet League Two on Wednesday evening, as the club welcomed 2,000 supporters into Brunton Park for the first time since March.
Carlisle United 2 (Alessandra 33’, Bennett 56')
Salford City 1 (Bernard 90')
Carlisle: Farman, Tanner, Hayden, Bennett, Anderton, Mellish, Devine, Guy (Furman 75’), Alessandra (Riley 90+2'), Kayode, Patrick (Toure 87’).