Bradford City welcome Crawley Town to Valley Parade in a League Two encounter on Saturday between two sides with very little to separate them.
There is only one place between the two heading into the weekend, with Crawley propping up the top half and Bradford at the summit of the bottom half.
Match preview
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After the exit of Mark Hughes 11 games into the league season, it has taken Bradford some time to turn their fortunes around, but under Graham Alexander they are now in a rich vein of form.
The Scot was welcomed with a baptism of fire in his first two games as manager, facing high-flying Barrow and Notts County, where they unsurprisingly lost both.
However, six straight wins then followed, four of which came in the league, and back-to-back victories in the EFL Trophy - beating Barnsley 5-1 and Liverpool Under-21s 4-0.
Form has taken a bit of a knock recently, but their last seven games have still produced a very respectable 14 points, to keep them within reach of the playoffs, which they currently trail by just five points.
Bradford are now three games without a win, though, following a New Year's Day defeat to Crewe Alexandra, which came after draws to Morecambe and Stockport County.
Crawley have been awkward opponents for Bradford in recent years too, as they are winless in their last eight meetings - losing five.
The visitors come into this one two points ahead of their upcoming opponents so must avoid defeat if they want to maintain their position in the top half and keep their push for the playoffs going.
Being just three points off the playoffs despite being down in 12th illustrates how open the race is for the top seven, but away form has been extremely detrimental to Crawley's push.
In 15 away games this season, Crawley have won only three, but two of those did come in December against Colchester United and Gillingham, so signs could be pointing towards them overcoming that poor record.
Their final game of 2023 resulted in an away defeat though - to MK Dons - which was their ninth of the campaign already.
However, Scott Lindsey's side were able to put things right on New Year's Day with an impressive display against Swindon Town which saw them come out 3-1 winners.
Team News
Young Bradford defender Daniel Oyegoke remains a doubt for this one as he edges closer to a return from the injury which has kept him sidelined for two months.
Alex Pattison is the only confirmed absentee for the weekend's clash, while keeping Andy Cook fit will be pivotal, as five goals during Bradford's six-game winning streak was crucial, and he has already struck double figures in the league this season.
Crawley have the full complement to choose from here following the return from suspension of Laurence Maguire, after the Chesterfield loanee was sent off against MK Dons.
Cypriot youth international Jack Roles should keep his place in the side after scoring in the win on New Year's Day following his integration into the first team.
Like Cook on the opposing side, Danilo Orsi has hit double figures in League Two already, and he did so by scoring a brace in that win over Swindon.
Bradford City possible starting lineup:
Lewis; Tomkinson, Platt, Kelly; Halliday, Gilliead, Smallwood, Odour, Ridehalgh; Cook, Smith
Crawley Town possible starting lineup:
Addai; Mukena, Conroy, Ransom; Wright, Williams, Campbell, Tsaroulla; Darcy, Orsi, Roles
We say: Bradford City 1-1 Crawley Town
With very little to separate the sides, it is difficult to pick a winner between two teams who have shown glimpses of late but have ultimately fallen back in the playoff race.
Crawley do have a fine record against Bradford, though, and are capable of getting a result here to remain above their hosts for the weekend.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Andrew Delaney
