As they continue to push for automatic promotion, Bradford City are set to host Accrington Stanley at the University of Bradford Stadium on Tuesday in League Two.
The Bantams are in excellent form and will be full of confidence ahead of their midweek clash, while the Reds have been mixed in 2025 so far.
Match preview
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Graham Alexander's Bradford beat Harrogate Town 1-0 on Saturday and have now lost just one of their last 11 games across all competitions, winning nine and drawing one.
Tuesday's hosts' strong record has carried them all the way to fourth in the table, where they are only two points behind third-placed Doncaster Rovers and three behind second-placed Notts County.
That being said, the race for promotion is particularly tight in League Two, and all of the clubs down to eighth-placed Crewe Alexandra remain within two points of the Bantams after their 29 matches.
That means that taking maximum points in midweek against a team that are comfortably in the bottom half will be crucial, as any lost ground could see Alexander's side drop out of the playoff spots entirely should results elsewhere line up unfavourably.
Luckily for Bradford, their form on their own turf has been flawless since mid-December, and they will feel confident of making it eight home wins on the bounce this week.
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Meanwhile, John Doolan's Accrington have experienced a mixed 2025, winning three, drawing two and losing two of their seven league games so far this year.
However, Stanley did manage a commendable 0-0 draw last time out against promotion-chasing AFC Wimbledon, and given they face a similar calibre of opposition once again, they could frustrate the hosts.
That stalemate left Doolan's side 20th in the fourth tier with 30 points, seven ahead of 23rd-placed Morecambe in the relegation zone with two games in hand over the Shrimps.
Notably, Tuesday's visitors have picked up almost half of their points total for the season in away matches, and though their record of four wins, two draws and eight losses is not particularly impressive, the mental resilience to remain consistent on the road could serve them well in midweek.
Accrington will certainly be the underdogs in their clash with Bradford but they should not be counted out, and the promotion hopefuls will have to stay focused if they are to avoid a potential banana skin.
Team News
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Bradford will once again be missing striker Andy Cook, who has been ruled out for the season with a knee injury, and boss Alexander will turn to Calum Kavanagh to provide an outlet.
In his absence, the Bantams' match winner against Harrogate, Antoni Sarcevic, is likely to start alongside Bobby Pointon as the duo look to support Kavanagh up top.
As for Accrington, centre-back Zach Awe has not featured since picking up an injury during his side's FA Cup tie with Liverpool last month, so expect Devon Matthews, Farrend Rawson and Benn Ward to line up in front of goalkeeper William Crellin on Tuesday.
Elsewhere, Jay Rich-Baghuelou continues to work his way back from a long-term injury, and Seb Quirk remains out having not featured since September.
Bradford City possible starting lineup:
Walker; Baldwin, Shepherd, Crichlow; Halliday, Pattison, Smallwood, Wright; Sarcevic, Pointon; Kavanagh
Accrington Stanley possible starting lineup:
Crellin; Matthews, Rawson, Ward; O'Brien, Coyle, Woods, Batty; Hunter; Walton, Whalley
We say: Bradford City 2-0 Accrington Stanley
Bradford have been near-unstoppable for some time, and all of the momentum seems to be with the hosts in this clash.
The Bantams will have to keep their eyes on the ball if they are to take maximum points once again, but if they can, then fans should expect a comfortable victory on Tuesday.
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