The Chalkboard
BRADFORD City have been one of the league’s most consistent performers this campaign and their league position reflects that.
The only thing stopping them from challenging league-leading Sheffield United at the summit is their habit of picking up draws – their 18 from 38 games this season are the most across Europe.
However, having only lost five all season and going unbeaten at home in the calendar year, the Bantams pack a punch.
Stuart McCall has transformed Bradford’s style of play but a more direct approach may be undertaken on a degrading Valley Parade pitch.
Having been in the play-off positions since mid-August, it is hard to see Bradford dropping out of at least the top six this late on in the campaign.
Bradford City manager Stuart McCall
Likely line-up
A man in form: Mark Marshall
Winger Mark Marshall has caught the eye of the Bradford City faithful and will prove a handful for left-back Fankaty Dabo, should Luke Williams chose to stick with the Chelsea loanee.
The 29-year-old started his career in non-league football before being presented with his chance when he moved to Swindon from Eastleigh in 2008 after Town’s pursuit of Kevin Betsy fell through, playing 19 games for the club before leaving in 2010 after a loan spell at Hereford United.
Marshall has turned his career around after one stage looking like his time in the sport would come to an abrupt end when he failed a routine drug test while at Barnet.
He is a tricky customer, who is full of confidence in a Bradford side pushing for automatic promotion and is not afraid to use his pace.
Former Swindon Town winger Mark Marshall
Treatment Room
STRIKER Alex Jones may give Stuart McCall a boost up top at Valley Parade tomorrow as he has been given a 50-50 chance of featuring for the hosts.
He missed Tuesday night’s draw with Charlton Athletic at the Valley having picked up a dead leg against Coventry City.
Another who has been given a 5-50 probability of appearing for the Bantams is midfielder Nicky Law, who has a minor knee injury.
Law has been absent since Bradford’s 2-2 draw with MK Dons at the end of February and has been quite influential under Stuart McCall, who he also played under at Motherwell and Rangers.
Alex Gilliead, a winger on loan from Newcastle United, is out for about a month with a hamstring injury.
In the long term, defender Matt Kilgallon is out for the season after picking up a shoulder injury back in January.
Alex Jones
OPPO FORM GUIDE
- TUE, Mar 14
Skybet League 1
1-1 Draw v Charlton Ath (a)
- SAT, Mar 11
Skybet League 1
2-0 Win v Coventry City (a)
- SAT, Mar 4
Skybet League 1
1-0 Win v Peterborough (h)
- TUE, Feb 28
Skybet League 1
2-2 Draw v MK Dons (h)
- SAT, Feb 25
Skybet League 1
2-1 Win v Port Vale (a)
Goalscorers
Jordy Hiwula: 12
Billy Clarke: 6
Tony McMahon, Mark Marshall: 4
Discipline
Romain Vincent: 10Y
Nathaniel Percival-Knight: 8Y
James Meredith, Tony McMahon: 5Y
The Stat
The Bantams are the only side in League One to boast an unbeaten home record this season.
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