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Match Previews

BIG MATCH PREVIEW: BRADFORD CITY v HARROGATE TOWN

11 October 2020

Match Previews

BIG MATCH PREVIEW: BRADFORD CITY v HARROGATE TOWN

11 October 2020

The Bantams get their Sky Bet League Two campaign back on track at the Utilita Energy Stadium with a 7.45pm visit of Harrogate Town on Monday (October 12) - LIVE on Sky Sports. 

City will be looking to record consecutive victories having beaten Stevenage 2-1 in their last league outing. 

The newly-promoted visitors also currently sit on five points in what is their first-ever campaign in league football. 

We have compiled a Big Match Preview full of everything you need to know ahead of the encounter clash.  

HOW TO WATCH 

Tomorrow evening's fixture will be broadcast LIVE on Sky Sports Football and Sky Sports Main Event - with coverage beginning from 7.30pm. 

'City For All' season-ticket holders will also be able to catch all the action LIVE via iFollow, providing, providing their e-mail address currently stored on the club's database matches the e-mail address their iFollow account is currently registered in. 

No iFollow video access codes will be required nor distributed for the fixture. 

PLEASE NOTE: Individual iFollow video match passes will not be available to purchase for the encounter. 

TEAM NEWS

City: Stuart McCall could hand a City debut to Austin Samuels against Simon Weaver's side, who signed for the Bantams on Saturday.

Bryce Hosannah could also make his first league start in claret and amber, after making his bow in the EFL Trophy in midweek, while Anthony O'Connor is available again having served a one-match suspension. 

Zeli Ismail is unavailable for the encounter as he recovers from a torn hamstring, though Clayton Donaldson should be fit after recovering from a knock on his foot. 

Harrogate: Former City star John Stead could line up against McCall's side on his return to the Utilita Energy Stadium. 

Town boss Simon Weaver has confirmed frontman Jack Muldoon will start against the Bantams, having recovered from a recent injury. 

Another ex-Bantam, Joe Cracknell, could feature in goal for the visitors, though James Belshaw is expected to begin in goal. 

WHAT THE MANAGERS SAID

Stuart McCall: "Harrogate have started very well and are a good footballing side.

"They have two guys in Simon Weaver and his assistant Paul Thirlwell - who I know well having played with him at Sheffield United - who have done a fantastic job. We are really starting to see the emergence of the football club as a whole. 

"They play some very good football and are a strong team. It is a match I am really looking forward to.

Simon Weaver: "The fixtures do not come much bigger for us at this level. We are looking forward to it and have been doing since the fixtures were released. 

"Bradford have an experienced manager who Paul Thirlwell knows very well in Stuart McCall, who is a club legend. 

"We have looked at their games and they have some really experienced players, so it is sure to be a big challenge."

PREVIOUS MEETING

This encounter will be the first-ever league meeting in history between the two sides, who have never before faced each other in competitive action. 

MATCH OFFICIALS

Darren Drysdale has taken charge of five matches so far this season, dishing out 12 yellow cards and issuing one dismissal.

The Lincolnshire official gave out 96 yellow cards last season, while giving three players the marching orders.

The man in the middle, who took charge of two City games during the 2020/21 campaign, will be accompanied by Paul Newhouse and Simon Clayton, as Ben Toner takes fourth official duties. 

BACK THE BANTAMS - WITH SKY BET

City supporters can back the Bantams for a Monday evening victory with Sky Bet. 

The Bantams' top scorer, Lee Novak, is a 4/1 favourite to open the scoring with his fifth goal of the campaign, while a total of six price boosts are currently on offer. 

Fans can place their bets by CLICKING HERE

PLEASE NOTE: All odds are subject to change. Please gamble responsibly.

KIT COLOURS

Stuart McCall’s Bantams will wear their claret and amber home kit for the visit of Harrogate, who will don their all-blue away strip.

City: Claret and Amber / Black / Black

Harrogate: Blue / Blue / Blue


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