Bradford City play host to Carlisle United on Saturday afternoon looking to bounce back from losing their early League Two unbeaten record last time out.
At a time when the Bantams sit in ninth position in the standings, the visitors to Valley Parade are down in 21st place.
Match preview
© Imago
Despite spending a prolonged period in the fourth tier, expectation remains high at Bradford given their outstanding end to the last campaign.
Graham Alexander's side had been on a 10-match unbeaten run in League Two until they suffered a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Grimsby Town in their most recent league game.
With their only other setbacks in 2024-25 coming in cup competitions where they have suffered penalty-shootout defeats, Alexander will hope that the defeat was a mere blip.
However, aside from a goalless draw at home to Salford City, Bradford have scored and conceded in the other five matches in all competitions.
Bradford last suffered a loss in normal time at Valley Parade back in March, highlighting the size of the task awaiting Carlisle this weekend.
Their opponents have made the decision to part ways with Paul Simpson, a consequence of losing three of their first four league matches.
Having played two of the current top three, and beating one of them in Barrow, it appears to be a harsh decision so early in the season.
Nevertheless, Carlisle are struggling for momentum after their dismal relegation campaign in League One, the idea now being that a fresh start is a must.
Steven Rudd has been placed in caretaker charge for the time being, already overseeing a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Nottingham Forest Under-21s in midweek.
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Team News
Having rung the changes for the EFL Trophy tie with Newcastle United Under-21s, Bradford boss Alexander should revert back to something like the team that started at Grimsby.
However, Oliver Sanderson has now scored in his last two matches and should replace Calum Kavanagh in the Bantams attack.
Recent signing Jay Benn is again likely to start among the replacements, with Cheick Diabate also dropping down to the bench.
The Carlisle side is somewhat unknown given Rudd's caretaker role, but players will return having been rested for the EFL Trophy tie.
Although Jake Allen scored as a substitute versus Forest's youngsters, the 18-year-old is unlikely to be promoted to the first XI.
Rudd may also prefer to switch back to a defensive five, rather than the four that he deployed in the previous game.
Bradford City possible starting lineup:
Walker; Baldwin, Byrne, Kelly; Halliday, Pattison, Smallwood, Pointon, Wright; Sanderson, Cook
Carlisle United possible starting lineup:
Lewis; Davies, Hayden, Thomas, Mellish, Williams; Vela, Jones, Neal; Wyke, Adu-Adjei
We say: Bradford City 2-1 Carlisle United
With a win over high-flying Barrow this campaign, Carlisle cannot be written off from overcoming Bradford this weekend. Nevertheless, the home side could extend their unbeaten record on familiar territory to three games with a hard-fought victory.
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![Jack Robinson of Sheffield United during the Sky Bet Championship match Preston North End vs Sheffield United at Deepdale, Preston, United Kingdom, August 9, 2024 [on August 11, 2024]](https://sm.imgix.net/11/29/1x1.gif?w=1&h=1 "Jack Robinson of Sheffield United during the Sky Bet Championship match Preston North End vs Sheffield United at Deepdale, Preston, United Kingdom, August 9, 2024 [on August 11, 2024]")
