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Bradford City
League Two | Gameweek 46
Apr 27, 2024 at 3pm UK
The Utilita Energy Stadium
Newport County

Bradford
4 - 1
Newport

Kavanagh (44'), Cook (45+1'), Pointon (57'), Walker (90+3')
FT(HT: 2-0)
Charsley (65')
Evans (50')

Preview: Bradford City vs. Newport County - prediction, team news, lineups

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

Bradford City's late push for a League Two playoff spot will go right down to the wire when they host Newport County in the final game of the regular season on Saturday.

The Bantams are relying on other results going their way this weekend, but they must win their match to give themselves a fighting chance.


Match preview

MK Dons manager Graham Alexander reacts on August 5, 2023© Reuters

Graham Alexander has led a complete turnaround in West Yorkshire in the final months of the season, to the point where Bradford now have a legitimate chance of earning a playoff position for the second season in a row.

The Bantams currently sit in ninth place, but with just two points between them and Barrow, they could sneak in at the last minute.

Bradford defeated the Bluebirds in midweek courtesy of a 90th-minute winner from Tyler Smith to ensure they would at least have something to fight for on the last day of the season.

The Bantams will require Crawley to lose or draw and Barrow to be defeated if they stand any chance of taking one of the playoff spots, but Alexander's men will focus on their match.

The hosts must defeat Newport on Saturday, but after winning four consecutive games and heading into this one, the squad has plenty of belief.

The visitors' seven-match losing streak will only increase the Bradford fans' belief, but Newport will attempt to turn that around to give their own supporters something to cheer about on the final day of the season.

It has been a tough run-in for the Exiles, which has led to them slipping down the table into the bottom half. While they cannot climb back into the top 12, a victory on Saturday could see them jump two places, depending on other results.

With Newport currently in 17th place, Graham Coughlan's men will want to take advantage of the chance to improve.

Of course, due to their recent performances, it will require a major effort to achieve that, and a lack of attacking output has been a big factor in that.

Four of Newport's past seven games have seen the team fail to score a goal, instantly putting extra pressure on the defenders, and that is an area the Exiles will look to focus on this weekend.

Bradford City League Two form:

Newport County League Two form:


Team News

Graham Alexander, now in charge of Motherwell, pictured in September 2020© Reuters

Jamie Walker will again be available for Bradford after serving his suspension, but it remains to be seen whether Alexander will tamper with a winning team to accommodate him.

Alex Gillead returned against Barrow after a six-game absence due to injury and the experienced midfielder could retain his place.

Scot Bennett was brought back into the Newport team during their 1-0 loss against Salford City after overcoming a knock, while Matthew Bondswell was also put into the starting lineup as a tactical change.

Nelson Sanca managed to keep his place in the starting lineup after an impressive individual performance in the previous match, and he should wrap up the season with another outing.


Bradford City possible starting lineup:
Walker; Oyegoke, Platt, Kelly; Halliday, Gillead, Smallwood, Wright; Kavanagh, Pointon; Cook

Newport County possible starting lineup:
Townsend; Baker, Sanca, Jameson; Bright, Morris, Bennett, Bondswell; Bogle; Jephcott, Evans


SM words green background

We say: Bradford City 2-0 Newport County

All the pressure is on Bradford in this particular fixture, but considering they could earn a playoff position, that is something they are likely to relish.

With Newport being on a dreadful run of form there should be no shortage of confidence for the Bantams, who will expect to take all three points.



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




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Game History

How you voted: Bradford vs Newport

Bradford City
71.4%
Draw
0.0%
Newport County
28.6%
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Gillingham86111221019
2Walsall86021541118
3BarrowBarrow8512115616
4Notts County8431158715
5Port Vale84221311214
6AFC Wimbledon641194513
7Doncaster RoversDoncaster84131112-113
8Crewe AlexandraCrewe841389-113
9Chesterfield8332136712
10Fleetwood TownFleetwood7331107312
11Grimsby Town84041214-212
12Newport CountyNewport84041216-412
13Bradford CityBradford8323109111
14Harrogate TownHarrogate8314811-310
15Colchester UnitedColchester82331214-29
16Salford City723246-29
17Tranmere RoversTranmere723237-49
18Bromley82241012-28
19MK Dons8224710-38
20Cheltenham TownCheltenham8215913-47
21Swindon TownSwindon8134812-46
22Carlisle UnitedCarlisle82061017-76
23Morecambe8035611-53
24Accrington StanleyAccrington7034816-83


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