The Bantams are on the road on Saturday for a delayed trip to Brunton Park. City will travel to Carlisle hoping to maintain their 100% record in 2022, with kick-off set for 3.00pm Cumbria.
The Blues have had a tricky start to the season - currently floating just above the relegation zone after 22 games.
The Cumbrians have taken six points from their last two games - dispatching of Stevenage and Scunthorpe United.
We have put together an Opposition Guide to give you all the information you need to know about our 23rd league opponent of the season.
TRANSFER ACTIVITY
The Blues brought 10 players into the club this summer, allowing 15 to exit Brunton Park.
United have also made two additions already in the January window - bolstering both their attack and defence.
INCOMINGS: Lukas Jensen (Burnley, loan), Zach Clough (Wigan), Tristan Abrahams (Newport), Kelvin Mellor (Morecambe), Corey Whelan (Wigan), Manasse Mampala (QPR), Brad Young (Aston Villa, loan), Jonathan Dinzeyi (Arsenal, loan), Jordan Gibson (Sligo Rovers), Mark Howard (free agent), Tyrese Omotoye (Norwich, loan), Joel Senior (Altrincham).
OUTGOINGS: Gime Toure (Aldershot, loan), Dean Furman (Altrincham), Rhys Bennett (Gillingham), Omari Patrick (Burton), Nick Anderton (Bristol Rovers), Paul Farman (Barrow), Offrande Zanzala (Barrow), Cedwyn Scott (Gateshead), Jamie Armstrong (Penrith), Liam Lightfoot (Workington AFC), Charlie Barnes (Annan Athletic), Tom Wilson (College of Charleston FC), Charlie Birch (Annan Athletic), Aaron Hayden (Wrexham), George Tanner (Bristol City).
ONES TO WATCH
Zach Clough
Zach Clough joined the Blues this summer after a brief spell with Wigan Athletic. Clough started his career with Bolton Wanderers, graduating from their academy before making 68 appearances for his boyhood club.
Clough made a £3million move to Nottingham Forest in the 2017 January transfer window before making loan moves back to Greater Manchester with Bolton and Rochdale.
Clough has netted four goals in 15 appearances for Carlisle this season, making him the Blues’ second-highest goal-scorer. The 26-year-old is comfortable as a striker as a secondary striker or in the No.10 role due to his speed and creative ability.
Jordan Gibson
Another summer recruit, Jordan Gibson joined the Blues from Sligo Rovers after an impressive spell in Ireland.
Gibson will be familiar to City fans, having made 29 appearances for the Bantams in the 2017/18 season before a loan move to Stevenage.
The Birmingham-born winger tops Carlisle’s goal and assist charts - with four and two respectively to his name. Gibson operates on the right-hand side of the Blues’ side and netted in last weekend’s crucial victory over Stevenage.
Omari Patrick
Another player City supporters will be familiar with is Omari Patrick, who sealed his return to the Cumbrian-based outfit on Thursday.
The forward spent time at Brunton Park last season having signed from the Bantams in January 2020, with impressive performances earning him a move to Burton Albion.
Patrick is now back in Cumbria however, having penned an 18-month deal with the Blues to seal a permanent return on Thursday.
CAPTAIN
Callum Guy captains the Blues, extending his stay in the summer after an impressive start to life in Cumbria.
Guy is another name City fans will recognise having donned the claret and amber on loan from Derby in 2018. Another loan club during his time with Derby opted to sign him permanently - with Guy joining Blackpool in 2019.
The skipper made 47 appearances in his first season at Brunton Park as he finished as Sky Bet League Two’s highest-assist provider.
MANAGER
Keith Millen was appointed Carlisle manager at the end of October 2021 following the departure of Chris Beech.
Millen boasts an impressive coaching CV, working under Neil Warnock and Alan Pardew in the Premier League.
The 55-year-old took his first managerial role at Örgryte before moving to Brunton Park, previously taking up caretaker roles in the EFL.
LAST MATCH
Scunthorpe 0
Carlisle 1 (Rod McDonald 40’)
CARLISLE: Mark Howard; Kelvin Mellor, Morgan Feeney, Rod McDonald, Jack Armer; Jordan Gibson, Corey Whelan, Callum Guy (Daniel Devine 80’), Brennan Dickenson (booked 59’); Sam Fishburn, Jon Mellish SUBS (not used): Magnus Norman, Brad Young, Taylor Charters, Jack Ellis, Joe Ripley
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Meetings: 54
Carlisle: 19
Draws: 14
Bradford: 21
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