Stephen Clemence's Barrow are set to host Graham Alexander's promotion hopefuls Bradford City at SO Legal Stadium on New Year's Day in League Two.
The Bluebirds come into the game without a win in their last two, while the Bantams will be looking to record their third consecutive victory on Wednesday.
Match preview
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Barrow are currently 17th in League Two, having earned a total of 27 points from their 22 games so far.
Clemence's side have won just one of their last 12 league matches, losing six in the process, and have kept just one clean sheet since September.
Despite their poor form, the Bluebirds are the definition of mid-table - nine points above the relegation zone and the same below the playoff spots.
They have been saved from real trouble by picking up important points in draws, including in the reverse of Wednesday's fixture when they played out a 1-1 stalemate with Bradford on December 3.
Last time out, the hosts drew 1-1 with struggling Tranmere Rovers, though their opponents' net was only disturbed by an own goal from Jordan Turnbull, and it is notable that Barrow have only scored more than once in a single league game on one occasion in their last 12.
Clemence's side last won on December 21 when they beat Fleetwood Town 2-0 at home, and the boss was relieved to have ended a nine-game winless run in the league that stretched back to October 5, mentioning that the poor results had been 'very hard' to deal with.
However, the manager also stated that he feels the Bluebirds are capable of having a successful second part of the season, especially given the return of the likes of Paul Farman and Niall Canavan from injury, and achieving a positive result to begin 2025 would be a strong start.
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Meanwhile, Bradford are 10th in League Two with 34 points from their 22 matches to date.
Just two points behind Salford City in the playoff spots, Alexander's side have won four of their last five games in all competitions and are in good form ahead of their first fixture in 2025.
Last time out, the Bantams beat Chesterfield 2-1 at home following a win over Port Vale by the same scoreline on Boxing Day, and have lost just once in their seven most recent league matches.
However, Wednesday's visitors experienced their own winless streak between late October and early December when they lost two and drew four of their six games, and given they picked up 10 of their 34-point total in their last five matches, the longevity of Bradford's good form remains untested.
This week, Alexander's side will be hoping to take all three points to fuel their push for promotion to League One in 2025, knowing that they could be seventh by the end of the game if results elsewhere go in their favour.
Team News
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Last time out, Barrow's Sam Foley played his first full 90 minutes after returning from the muscle injury that kept him out since early November, and he is likely to be partnered in midfield by Robbie Gotts on Wednesday.
On the other hand, attacking midfielder Kian Spence missed the game against Tranmere after picking up an injury against Salford, so expect Ben Jackson and Dom Telford to support striker Emile Acquah up front in his absence.
As for Bradford, they have announced the signing of Gillingham's George Lapslie ahead of the opening of the January transfer window.
Boss Alexander spoke of his desire to get Lapslie up to speed as soon as possible, but Alexander Pattison and Richard Smallwood will be patrolling the middle of the park this week.
Elsewhere, right-sided defender Callum Johnson has not featured at all this season and is not expected to be back in action any time soon.
Barrow possible starting lineup:
Farman; Feely, Vassell, Stokes, Tiensia; Newby, Foley, Gotts, Jackson; Telford, Acquah
Bradford City possible starting lineup:
Walker; Baldwin, Byrne, Kelly; Benn, Pattison, Smallwood, Halliday; Sarcevic, Cook, Wright
We say: Barrow 1-1 Bradford City
Barrow's poor winning record makes it difficult to imagine the hosts earning victory on Wednesday, and their goalscoring record means it is unlikely they will score more than once.
However, the Bluebirds have proven themselves capable of grinding out draws in the league, including against the Bantams in early December, so expect another low-scoring stalemate on New Year's Day.
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