In an action-packed weekend of first-round FA Cup football, Bradford City will be taking on League One outfit Wycombe Wanderers at the University of Bradford Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
This will be the first encounter between these sides since 2018, and the winners of this tie will progress to round two after being knocked out of this competition in the first round in the last two consecutive seasons.
Match preview
© Reuters
Bradford City certainly cannot be accused of rushing decisions as 28 days after Mark Hughes's dismissal; Mark Trueman will now assume control at Valley Parade, becoming the second caretaker manager inside the space of a month.
Kevin McDonald, in his role as caretaker-player manager, concluded his reign with an EFL Trophy win over Manchester City Under-21s in midweek and will continue at the club exclusively in a player role.
However, while that victory would have helped the morale around the changeroom, calls for a permanent appointment are still intense following last Saturday's agonising late loss to the bottom-ranked Sutton in League Two.
With that result, the Bantams dropped to 16th place in the standings and have failed to win any of their last three matches in the league, which included back-to-back defeats in their last two games.
Notably, the hosts have struggled in attack this season, with just 17 goals scored in 16 league games, which is the third-lowest tally of all the sides in League Two, with only Gillingham and Harrogate Town faring worse.
Meanwhile, in contrast to the managerial uncertainties of their opponents, Matt Bloomfield extended his contract at Wycombe Wanderers this week after taking over in February following the departure of Gareth Ainsworth to Queens Park Rangers.
The Chairboys drew 0-0 at home to Cambridge United last week in a match characterised mainly by a lack of quality, and while it did gain intensity in the closing stages, neither team managed to secure a winning goal.
That result left Wanderers in 10th place with 22 points after 15 matches, though they are winless in their last four league games, including three draws and a 2-0 loss to Bolton Wanderers a couple of weeks ago.
Bloomfield will need to address his side's defensive issues if they are to have a chance of closing in on the promotion spots, as they currently possess the league's third-worst defensive record with 23 goals conceded already.
Still, against a lower-league opponent here, the Chairboys will fancy their chances of claiming a much-needed win and will look to carry that momentum back into the league as they head into a tricky encounter at home to Stevenage next weekend.
Team News
© Reuters
Bradford are likely to line up in the 4-2-3-1 formation as they did in their last two matches, with Bradley Halliday, Ash Taylor, Sam Stubbs and Liam Ridehalgh forming the backline in front of Harry Lewis.
Alex Gilliead has been an ever-present this season and is likely to be joined by Richard Smallwood in a double-pivot, while Jamie Walker and Andy Cook are expected to start in attack.
Bloomfield may consider switching to a three-at-the-back formation in this match, featuring Luke Leahy, Richard Keogh, and Joseph Low, who was left out of the squad in their 0-0 draw against the U's last week.
Garath McCleary, Freddie Potts and Killian Phillips should make up the midfield trio, while Harry Boyes will be hoping to be brought back into the starting lineup after coming off the bench in the last match.
Bradford City possible starting lineup:
Lewis; Halliday, Platt, Stubbs, Ridehalgh; Gilliead, Smallwood; Pointon, Walker, Osadebe; Cook
Wycombe Wanderers possible starting lineup:
Stryjek; Leahy, Keogh, Low; McCleary, Potts, Phillips, Boyes; Taylor, Vokes, Hanlan
We say: Bradford City 1-2 Wycombe Wanderers
Wycombe Wanderers will see this as the perfect opportunity to get back to winning ways following four winless league matches. The visitors did score two goals in three of those games, and we are expecting them to register at least another couple on the road to a win in this one.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
