Fifth-placed Bradford City's quest for automatic promotion from League Two continues on Tuesday when they travel to face Bromley at Hayes Lane.
Bromley are 10th with 45 points, seven points and three places from the fourth and final promotion playoff spot, while Bradford have 57 points following their 2-0 win against MK Dons on Saturday but are level on points with third-placed AFC Wimbledon.
Match preview
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The hosts emerged as 2-0 winners against Harrogate Town on February 22 in what was a clinical display, scoring two of their three shots on target while also preventing their opponents from creating a single big chance.
Bromley have now won three consecutive games without conceding, keeping as many clean sheets in that period as they had in their prior 12 outings.
Boss Andy Woodman will believe that his side can challenge for a playoff spot considering they boast a game in hand over seventh-placed Crewe Alexandra, as well as the fact the only team in the league to have picked up more than their 10 points in their last four is eighth-placed Grimsby Town.
The Ravens' tally of 43 goals scored is the joint eighth-best return in the fourth tier, and their xG figure of 41.1 is the sixth best in the division.
Woodman's side have triumphed in their past two league matches at home – scoring three while keeping two clean sheets – but they were beaten in five, held to a stalemate in six and won just two of their previous 13 at Hayes Lane.
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The visitors come into the clash having dominated proceedings against MK Dons, with the club creating two big chances while restricting the Dons to no big chances and just three shots on target, the first of which came in the 71st minute.
Bradford are level on points with third-placed AFC Wimbledon, who occupy the final automatic promotion spot, and are only one point behind second-placed Doncaster Rovers despite having played a game fewer.
Manager Graham Alexander will hope for a repeat of the reverse fixture against Bromley when his side won 3-1 on August 24, though it should be noted that Bromley were reduced to 10 men in the eighth minute when midfielder Ashley Charles was dismissed.
The Paraders are in excellent form considering they have emerged victorious in nine of their past 12 League Two games while losing just one in that time, and they also kept seven clean sheets in their last eight league matches.
However, Bradford's record on the road is concerning given they have failed to win 12 of their 14 most recent matches in the fourth tier, drawing six and losing six of those fixtures.
Team News
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Bromley winger Harry McKirdy was forced off due to an injury against Harrogate Town, and he may be replaced on the right flank on Tuesday by Corey Whitely.
In midfield, Jude Arthurs and Ashley Charles performed excellently last time out, and they can be expected to continue together in the middle of the pitch.
Centre-backs Deji Elerewe and Byron Webster are almost certain to be stationed in defence ahead of goalkeeper Grant Smith.
As for Bradford, midfielder Alex Pattison and centre-back Romoney Crichlow were both substituted off against MK Dons as a result of injury.
Perhaps Antoni Sarcevic will drop deeper and join Richard Smallwood in a double pivot, while Tommy Leigh could play in an advanced role in a front three.
If Crichlow is not deemed ready for Tuesday, he could be replaced on the left of a back three by Neill Byrne, who may feature alongside centre-backs Callum Johnson and Aden Baldwin.
Bromley possible starting lineup:
Smith; Jenkinson, Elerewe, Webster, Mayor; Arthurs, Charles; Whitely, Thompson, Congreve; Cheek
Bradford City possible starting lineup:
Walker; Johnson, Baldwin, Byrne; Halliday, Sarcevic, Smallwood, Adaramola; Leigh, Pointon, Mellon
We say: Bromley 1-2 Bradford City
Bradford should be considered favourites given their outstanding form in League Two, though they may find Bromley's defence difficult to break down.
The hosts will take confidence from the fact the visitors have been poor on the road, but it remains to be seen if their improved showings at the back will continue.
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Lewis Nolan
