MX23RW : Wednesday, December 18 06:16:19| >> :600:1622736:1622736:
[monks data]
Bradford City
League Two | Gameweek 7
Sep 9, 2023 at 12.30pm UK
The Utilita Energy Stadium
Grimsby Town

Bradford
1 - 1
Grimsby Town

Gilliead (89')
Kelly (6'), Afoka (90+3')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Rose (43')
Eisa (8'), Rodgers (32'), Amos (34'), Conteh (53')

Preview: Bradford City vs. Grimsby Town - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Saturday's League Two clash between Bradford City and Grimsby Town, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Bradford City will have the chance to continue their unbeaten start at home this season on Saturday when they host Grimsby Town, who head into the game on the back of defeat in the EFL Trophy.

Despite that loss it is the visitors who have had the stronger start to the campaign, and could potentially push into a League Two playoff spot with a victory this weekend.


Match preview

Bradford City manager Mark Hughes after the match on May 14, 2023© Reuters

Bradford have had a mixed start to the new season with two victories, two draws and two defeats leaving them in a midtable position following the opening six games.

While the Bantams have not quite kicked on from missing out on promotion via the playoffs last season, there have still been plenty of positive signs for Mark Hughes to take.

One of those has been his team's home form, which was a problem last season, as Bradford have won both of their games at Valley Parade so far, while his men do head into this weekend on the back of a three-match undefeated streak.

The Bantams knocked Wrexham out of the EFL Cup via penalties, but they were unable to find the back of the net last weekend away at Mansfield Town which led to a goalless draw.

Scoring goals has been a problem for Bradford in general this season, having only managed four so far in the league with the pressure mounting on talisman Andy Cook, who is yet to open his account for this campaign.

Grimsby Town manager Paul Hurst before the match on March 19, 2023© Reuters

The visitors have had a slightly stronger start to the season, picking up one more draw and one less defeat than their opponents this weekend, which is why they head into Saturday sitting three places higher in the table.

However, Grimsby are yet to win a League Two match away from home, and they head into this match on the back of a 2-0 defeat in midweek against Barnsley in the EFL Trophy.

Goals from Owen Dodgson and Aiden Marsh proved enough to beat Paul Hurst's men and he will now want to see an immediate reaction from the squad.

The Mariners are undefeated in their past four League Two fixtures, though, having put together a consistent run since their only defeat of the campaign so far.

Grimsby could find themselves climbing into a playoff position with three points this weekend, and while it may still be early days that would no doubt inject further belief into the club.

Bradford City League Two form:


Bradford City form (all competitions):


Grimsby Town League Two form:


Grimsby Town form (all competitions):



Team News

Mark Hughes in charge of Southampton on August 18, 2018© Reuters

Cook is expected to lead the line for the Bantams this weekend, but the pressure is starting to mount on him due to his lack of goals following his impressive campaign last season which led to a summer contract extension.

However, at the other end of the field, there could be a debut for new signing Jonathan Tomkinson who has joined Bradford on a season-long loan from Norwich City.

Hughes will be without the services of Clarke Oduor this weekend, though, as the midfielder has been called up for international duty, representing Kenya.

Jake Eastwood could find himself back between the sticks this weekend after he was rested in midweek, as he aims to secure consecutive clean sheets.

Grimsby have been without the attacking services of Otis Khan and Donovan Wilson and while they are expected back in training soon, this fixture will come too soon for the pair.


Bradford City possible starting lineup:
Lewis; Platt, Stubbs, Tomkinson; Oyegoke, Pattison, Smallwood, Richard; Smith, Walker; Cook

Grimsby Town possible starting lineup:
Eastwood; Efete, Mullarkey, Maher, Driscoll-Glennon; Gnahoua, Andrews, Hunt, Khouri, Vernam; Pyke


SM words green background

We say: Bradford City 1-0 Grimsby Town

Bradford are struggling for goals this season, which means they will need a strong defensive performance to guarantee all three points this weekend, which is something that they are capable of.

While Grimsby will no doubt pose questions of the Bantams, in front of a packed crowd it should be the hosts that just edge this one.



For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 2.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Under 2.5:data


ID:523449:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect13024:
Written by
Matthew Wilkinson

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Game History

How you voted: Bradford vs Grimsby Town

Bradford City
43.8%
Draw
18.8%
Grimsby Town
37.5%
16
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson looks on on July 26, 2023
Read Next:
Saturday's League Two predictions including AFC Wimbledon vs. Wrexham
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Walsall19124335191640
2Port Vale2010642619736
3Crewe AlexandraCrewe199732416834
4AFC Wimbledon19103631161533
5Doncaster RoversDoncaster209652823533
6Chesterfield2087535231231
7Grimsby Town2010192730-331
8MK Dons1893630201030
9Gillingham199282016429
10Bradford CityBradford197752419528
11Notts County197752521428
12Salford City197662019127
13Cheltenham TownCheltenham207582728-126
14Bromley195952323024
15Fleetwood TownFleetwood185852423123
16BarrowBarrow196581818023
17Newport CountyNewport196582128-723
18Colchester UnitedColchester1941052322122
19Tranmere RoversTranmere195681426-1221
20Harrogate TownHarrogate2063111730-1321
21Accrington StanleyAccrington194782634-819
22Swindon TownSwindon2037102334-1116
23Morecambe2035121936-1714
24Carlisle UnitedCarlisle1935111532-1714


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!