The Bantams travel to The New Lawn stadium this Saturday to face table toppers Forest Green Rovers in a Sky Bet League Two game set to kick-off at 3.00pm.
City have never lost a game at The New Lawn, drawing on their only visit to Gloucestershire.
FGR have topped the Sky Bet League Two charts for the majority of the season, but a difficult spell saw The Greens hit a stumbling block at the end of February that spilled over into March.
The reverse fixture ended all square as Andy Cook’s early goal was nullified by Jake Young’s second-half effort.
We have created a Big Match Preview to give you all the key details you need to know, heading into the encounter.
TEAM NEWS
City: Jamie Walker is expected to return to action after City boss Mark Hughes confirmed he was fit again. Dion Pereira could also make his debut.
Tom Elliott, Reece Staunton and Charles Vernam are nearing returns, but remain sidelined.
Abo Eisa and Lee Angol are still out with hamstring issues.
Forest Green: Rob Edwards should have a full squad at his disposal, with no injuries picked up against Salford last weekend.
WHAT THE MANAGERS SAID
Mark Hughes: “Forest Green are a good side and are top of the pile.
“It is not an easy game for our first away trip, but I am looking forward to it and will be a good test for us.
“I want to see us build on the performance from last week. They are a good team, who are there on merit.
“They are a threat, we understand that, but we have things we can do that they will be concerned about.
“We will set a different type of problem for them, different to what they might have thought three or four weeks ago.”
Rob Edwards: “I am forever grateful to Mark Hughes for giving me my debut for Wales, he has had a huge influence on my career.
“It is great this year. The clubs that are in the league, the managers that are in the dugouts, it is incredible and it is a great experience for me.
“You are not going up against the manager, he will prepare the team and do all the work to get his message across but ultimately it is the players.
“They have had an upturn in their performances, particularly against Swindon you could see the shift in style so I think it will be a different game against Bradford than earlier in the season.”
MATCH COVERAGE
City supporters unable to make the trip to The New Lawn can follow the action with regular updates on the club’s official Twitter page.
You will also be able to catch updates on other social media platforms, such as Facebook and Instagram.
Full audio match commentary is available to iFollow Bantams subscribers, while BBC Radio Leeds’ Jamie Raynor and former City skipper Gary Jones will provide live commentary on DAB radio across the Bradford district, and via the BBC Sounds app.
IFollow subscribers can also catch all the reaction - with post-match interviews and content.
LAST TIME OUT
The spoils were shared in the reverse fixture, with City unlucky not to take all three points.
Andy Cook’s 10th-minute goal set the mood for the afternoon, with the Bantams enjoying a dominant opening period.
City carried their momentum into the second half, but a Jake Young equaliser just shy of the hour mark went unanswered as the game ended
CITY: Richard O’Donnell (booked 56’); Oscar Threlkeld (booked 85’), Paudie O’Connor, Niall Canavan (C), Yann Songo’o; Andy Cook, Alex Gilliead (booked 79’), Matty Foulds, Elliot Watt; Levi Sutton (Callum Cooke 86’), Caolan Lavery (Theo Robinson 28’). SUBS (not used): Sam Hornby, Charles Vernam, Fiacre Kelleher, Gareth Evans, Finn Cousin-Dawson.
GOALS: Andy Cook 10’.
FOREST GREEN: Luke McGee; Kane Wilson, Dominic Bernard, Baily Cargill (booked 45+2’), Ben Stevenson; Ebou Adams (booked 61’), Matty Stevens (Jack Aitchison), Nicky Cadden, Jamille Matt © ; Regan Hendry (Jake Young 45’), Udoka Godwin-Malife (booked 38’). SUBS (not used): Lewis Thomas, Taylor Allen, Jack Evans, Sadou Diallo, Josh March.
GOALS: Jake Young 54’.
MATCH OFFICIALS
Ollie Yates is the man in the middle this afternoon, his 26th clash of the season.
Yates’ last game in charge of a Bantams game came last season, leading City’s defeat to Carlisle at Brunton Park.
He will be joined by Daniel Flynn and Matthew Smith on the flanks, with Robert Dabbs acting as fourth official.
BACK THE BANTAMS - WITH SKY BET
City supporters can back their team for victory Saturday with Sky Bet.
Bantams fans can flutter on Mark Hughes’ side to win the tie at 16/5.
Supporters can place their bets by CLICKING HERE.
PLEASE NOTE: All odds are subject to change. Please gamble responsibly.
KIT COLOURS
City will wear their white 2021/22 home kit for the fixture, with the hosts in green.
Bantams: White / Claret / Claret
Forest Green: Green and Black / Green / Green