Form
Bradford City were promoted to League One last season, gaining automatic promotion after finishing third in League Two. Promotion ended their six -ear stay in the fourth tier, following their relegation from League One in 2019.
The Bantams are having a strong first season back in League One and are right in the promotion hunt, currently sitting fourth in the league, three places and 10 points ahead of Reading. Their recent form has been mixed, seeing three wins and two losses in their last five games.
City have struggled on the road and have only picked up one away win in their last seven. They come into this weekend’s game off the back of a 1-0 home win in midweek though, against Yorkshire rivals Rotherham United.
The two sides faced each other back in December, with Bradford picking up a 2-0 win at Valley Parade after goals from Antoni Sarcevic and Bobby Pointon.
The boss
Graham Alexander: Alexander was appointed Bradford manager in November 2023 following the sacking of Mark Hughes.
He had a playing career spanning 24 years, operating as a right-back, representing the likes of Scunthorpe United, Luton Town, Preston North End and Burnley. The Scotsman also represented his country, picking up 40 caps for the Tartan Army.
Following retirement he secured his first managerial role in 2012, taking over the reins at Fleetwood Town, where he guided the club from League Two to League One. Alexander then returned to Scunthorpe, the club where his career started in 2016, spending two seasons there before going on to join Salford City.
He guided Salford to the Football League in 2019, winning the National League playoffs. The Scotsman was sacked the following season and then took a trip north of the border to become Motherwell head coach in 2021. A spell at MK Dons followed, but he was sacked after only five months in charge.
The 54-year-old joined Bradford in 2023 and guided the club to promotion back to League One last season, with the Bantams finishing third in the league. Alexander likes his sides to play with a high press.
Squad
Bradford signed seven players last month to strengthen their squad for their hunt for Championship football, with two arriving permanently and five joining on loan.
Their two permanent additions were midfielder Luke Evans, who signed from Blackpool for an undisclosed fee, and striker Kayden Jackson, who came in from Derby County. Their loans included Newcastle United youngsters Harrison Ashby and Joe White; midfielder Louie Sibley, who joined from Oxford United; and forwards Paul Mullin and Ethan Wheatley, who joined from Wrexham and Manchester United respectively.
Forward Jackson may miss out on this weekend’s game after coming off injured in the first half of their midweek game against Rotherham.
Predicted lineup
Walker, Pennington, J. Wright, Tilt, Neufville, T. Wright, Power, Metcalfe, Sarcevic, Pointon, Wheatley
Key player
10. Antoni Sarcevic: Midfielder Sarcevic joined Bradford in May 2024 on a free transfer, following the end of his contract at Stockport County.
He started his career in the youth setup at Manchester City, before signing for Woodley Sports, following his release from the Citizens. He signed for Crewe Alexandra in 2010, before going on to join Chester and then Fleetwood Town. Sarcevic stayed at Fleetwood for three seasons, making 138 appearances, scoring 20 goals.
A short spell at Shrewsbury Town followed before he moved to Plymouth Argyle, where he stayed another three and a half seasons, adding another 20 goals to his career tally. He then had a season at Bolton Wanderers before he joined Stockport, where he spent three seasons.
Sarcevic has represented Bradford 57 times since joining in 2024 and has 15 goals to his name, with eight of those coming this season. The 33-year-old is a goalscoring attacking midfielder who usually plays in the number 10 position.
One to watch
23. Bobby Pointon: Midfielder Pointon is a product of the Bradford youth system who signed his first pro deal with the club in 2022.
He had a number of loan spells in non-league, representing Brighouse Town, Farsley Celtic and Liversedge. He made his debut for the Bantams in 2023 and has gone on to make 110 appearances for the club.
Pointon has eight goals to his name so far this season, making him their joint top-scorer. The 22-year-old is an attacking midfielder who has a good first touch and who is also effective in the press.
