Colchester United travel to the Utilita Energy Stadium on Wednesday, when they will face 12th-placed Bradford City in League Two and could go level on points with their hosts.

Bradford are looking for their first win in eight matches across all competitions, while Colchester are aiming to extend their unbeaten run in League Two to three games.

Match preview

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Derek Adams's side enter Wednesday's fixture after disappointment in round one of the FA Cup as they were eventually knocked out of the competition by fellow tier-four outfit Exeter City.

When the first meeting between those two teams in round one ended in a 1-1 draw, the tie went to a replay which was later null and voided, meaning that Bradford travelled down south to St James' Park for a second time last Tuesday only to fall to a 2-1 defeat.

Amongst those FA Cup outings, the Bantams have played out many 1-1 draws in League Two, including last weekend when they were on the road again, that time travelling to Scunthorpe.

Midfielder Yann Songo'o scored his first goal for the club to level the scoreline in that match, but Bradford will be looking to keep their first clean sheet since the beginning of October on Wednesday to try and get back to winning ways.

Adams will have confidence in his side to keep Colchester from scoring this week, as the visitors have only netted six times in eight away games this season, one of the lowest tallies in the division.

Hayden Mullins's team were also knocked out of the FA Cup on Sunday, when they faced League One outfit Wigan, who progressed with a 2-1 win thanks to a brace from Callum Lang.

Colchester's last league outing was played towards the end of November, when they snatched a point in a 1-1 draw with Newport, despite the Welsh side recording 10 shots on target.

Unsurprisingly with that stat, goalkeeper Jake Turner was awarded the Player of the Match award, and he is likely to need to produce another strong performance on Wednesday as his side do not have a strong record at the other end of the pitch.

The U's have not won away from home in League Two since September, while Bradford will be relieved to be back on home soil as they have only tasted defeat once in West Yorkshire.

Team News

Bradford attacker Abo Eisa was forced off just before half time against Scunthorpe which meant that he did not feature in the squad last time out against Exeter and he could miss out again on Wednesday.

Elliot Watt replaced Eisa on the right wing in the FA Cup outing, and other than that forced change, Adams named the same team with Lee Angol continuing to lead the line.

Angol has scored three goals in six League Two appearances for Bradford this season, and he will want to keep up his good form with Callum Cooke providing a creative spark from the number 10 role.

Colchester striker Freddie Sears is leading the goal scoring front for the U's this season, having netted seven times so far, and he is certain to start for the visitors.

Noah Chilvers and Cole Skuse have been an integral part of Colchester's side this season, both missing just one league outing this campaign, and the midfield duo will remain in the middle of the pitch for the away team.

Bradford City possible starting lineup:
O'Donnell; Ridehalgh, Canavan, O'Connor, Threlkeld; Songo'o, Sutton; Watt, Cooke, Gilliead; Angol

Colchester United possible starting lineup:
Turner; Daniels, Smith, Chambers, Coxe; Chilvers, Skuse; Hannant, Dobra, Jasper; Sears

We say: Bradford City 0-1 Colchester United

After a draining FA Cup journey this season having to play Exeter three times, travelling down to St James' Park twice last month, all to end up being knocked out of the competition, that may have negatively impacted the Bradford camp.

Colchester will be looking to take advantage of that and it is a good opportunity for the visitors to record just their third league away win of the season against a side which is not in terrific form.

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