Both looking to collect some points after postponements over the weekend, Bradford City and Salford City will do battle at the University of Bradford Stadium on Tuesday night in League Two.
The Bantams' clash at home to Doncaster Rovers was called off due to a frozen surface at Valley Parade, and a similar narrative played out at Salford's Peninsula Stadium, where the Ammies were scheduled to clash with Colchester United.
Match preview
© Reuters
As Saturday's meeting with Doncaster was cancelled due to adverse weather conditions in Yorkshire, Bradford City have been afforded 10 days to mull over a collection of one point from three League One contests since the turn of the calendar year, with the Bantams recording a draw at Colchester last time out.
Veteran and leading marksman Andy Cook opened the scoring at the JobServe Community Stadium after 35 minutes, but Graham Alexander's side were unable to hold on in the second half for a first league away success since December 22, with Tom Hopper restoring parity for the hosts.
After falling short in the playoffs last season - losing to Carlisle United over two legs in the semi-finals - Bradford are struggling to keep pace with the top-seven race this time around, meaning the Bantams currently occupy 16th position, seven points behind MK Dons in seventh.
Alexander's men have not enjoyed their recent matchups at the University of Bradford Stadium in League Two, earning just two points from three contests at their Yorkshire base, losing 4-2 to Crawley Town last time out at Valley Parade despite leading 2-1 heading into the final five minutes of normal time.
The Bantams have added quality on the flanks during the opening weeks of the January transfer window, recruiting left-footed youngster Tyreik Wright from Plymouth Argyle after the 22-year-old struggled for game time in the Championship under Steven Schumacher and most recently Ian Foster.
Following a wretched December and festive period which yielded just a single point and no victories to cheer, Salford have commenced their 2024 calendar with back-to-back results, drawing at home to relegation-threatened Forest Green Rovers before winning away at Crawley over a week ago.
After shipping 15 goals in the previous five fourth-tier clashes, a centre-back duo of Curtis Tilt and Theo Vassell were at their best to help goalkeeper Alex Cairns record a clean sheet last time out, with Manchester United academy graduate Kelly N'Mai arriving off the bench to net the winner in the second half.
The Ammies' meteoric rise up the English football pyramid has unsurprisingly plateaued in recent years, and now Karl Robinson's men are battling against relegation to the National League during their fifth-straight campaign in League Two, sitting in 21st, eight points ahead of managerless Forest Green.
Key to Salford avoiding an unwanted scrap for survival in the closing months of the season will be the goalscoring antics of towering striker Matt Smith, who has already bagged 15 goals in 27 fourth-tier appearances, showcasing the talent which allowed him to be a regular at Championship level with Millwall and Queens Park Rangers.
Seventeen of the Ammies' 27 League Two points have been collected away from the Peninsula Stadium in 2023-24, although apart from last weekend's success at Broadfield Stadium, Salford have failed to win on the road in the league since the trip to Doncaster on October 24, when Smith netted a sensational hat-trick.
Team News
Bradford are expected to name a similar team to the one which earned a point at Colchester last time out, meaning Sam Stubbs, Ash Taylor and American Jonathan Tomkinson should form the centre-back trio.
Clarke Oduor and Vadaine Oliver made positive impressions off the bench for the Bantams against the U's, but the latter has now been sent on loan to Stevenage.
After keeping a clean sheet at Crawley, Salford could name the same back four, so Declan John and former Everton man Luke Garbutt should retain their spots at full-back.
N'Mai is in line for a rare start after scoring the winner last time out, meaning Conor McAleny's berth on the left flank is under considerable threat.
Adrian Mariappa will serve the second match of his three-game suspension for a red card at Forest Green, limiting Robinson's options in defence.
Bradford City possible starting lineup:
Walker; Tomkinson, Taylor, Stubbs; Halliday, Gilliead, Smallwood, Ridehalgh; Chapman, Pointon, Cook
Salford City possible starting lineup:
Cairns; John, Vassell, Tilt, Garbutt; Watson, Watt, Luamba, Bolton, N'Mai, Smith
We say: Bradford City 1-0 Salford City
Bradford have earned two respectable results at Derby County and Colchester from their last two matches, and we believe that the Bantams will continue their unbeaten run on Tuesday night.
Salford were not outstanding despite taking all the points at Crawley last time out, so we are expecting an away loss at Valley Parade in this one.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Carter White
