The Bantams will travel to Essex on Easter Monday to face Colchester United in a 3.00pm Sky Bet League Two clash.
Colchester’s sporadic form in recent weeks has seen them take six points from promotion-chasing Tranmere and Port Vale, but lose to relegation-threatened Stevenage.
The U’s have not managed to beat City at the JobServe Community Stadium since 2015, when the sides met in Sky Bet League One.
Wayne Brown will be looking for an immediate response from his side after their Good Friday loss to Exeter City.
We have put together an Opposition Guide to give you all the information you need to know about the opponents in our 43rd league fixture of the season.
TRANSFER ACTIVITY
The U’s enjoyed a busy January transfer window, signing 10 players on a mixture of permanent and loan deals.
INCOMINGS: Tom Dallison (Crawley), Cameron Coxe (Solihull Moors), Corie Andrews (AFC Wimbledon, loan), Emyr Huws (Ipswich), Owura Edwards (Bristol City, loan), Myles Kenlock (Ipswich, loan), John Akinde (Gillingham, loan), Camron Gbadebo (Manchester City), Sam Hornby (Bradford, loan), Tyreik Wright (Aston Villa, loan).
OUTGOINGS: Frank Nouble (Leyton Orient, loan).
ONES TO WATCH
Freddie Sears
Freddie Sears is the U’s top goal-scorer and standout player this season after netting 13 goals - a dozen of which have arguably been ‘Goal of the Season’ contenders.
Sears spent his youth with West Ham before moving on to the U’s and eventually Ipswich.
Now into his third spell in Essex, the 32-year-old is still firmly the U’s main man, having directly contributed to 46% of their goals this season.
Owura Edwards
Edwards joined the U’s on loan in January after spending the first half of the season with Exeter City, making 17 appearances.
The 21-year-old graduated from Bristol City’s academy and has previously featured for Bath and Grimsby Town on loan.
Edwards has contributed four goals in 12 appearances, proving his worth in the U’s fight against relegation.
Noah Chilvers
Chilvers is the pride of the U’s academy and has had a career-best season, netting seven goals with a further two assists.
The 21-year-old made his U’s debut at 18 when he came on as a substitute against Newport County.
Chilvers’ previous highest goal tally for a season was two, which he matched with a brace against Scunthorpe alone.
CAPTAIN
Tommy Smith was named the U’s captain at the start of the 2021/22 season in just his second year at the club.
Smith moved to Essex following his release from Sunderland just months after signing, without making an appearance for the Black Cats. The 31-year-old made over 200 appearances for Ipswich Town before moving to the MLS in 2018 to join Colorado Rapids.
The U’s No.5 holds dual nationality with England and New Zealand, opting to represent the latter at international level which led to him playing in the 2010 South Africa World Cup, before becoming the Kiwis' youngest-ever captain in 2013.
MANAGER
Wayne Brown is back for his third temporary spell in charge of the U’s, having previously taken the post in 2015 and 2021 as caretaker.
The former Preston North End and Leicester City centre-back has a fondness for the Essex side after notching three figures worth of appearances for them.
As well as replacing Hayden Mullins as the U’s boss, Brown is the current manager of Isthmian League North side Maldon & Tiptree - the only manager in the English Football League to occupy two managerial posts.
LAST MATCH
Exeter 2 (Jack Sparkes 32’, Offrande Zanzala 63’)
Colchester 0
COLCHESTER: Shamal George; Thomas Eastman, Tommy Smith, Cameron Coxe (booked 66’), Luke Chambers ©; Brendan Sarpong-Wiredu, Noah Chilvers (Tyreik Wright 75’), Luke Hannant (Alan Judge 64’), Emyr Huws (John Akinde 65’); Cole Skuse, Freddie Sears. SUBS (not used): Miles Welch-Hayes, Sam Hornby, Myles Kenlock, Junior Tchamadeu.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Meetings: 37
City Wins: 9
Draws: 14
Colchester Wins: 14