The Bantams are preparing for their first away trip of the 2019/20 Sky Bet League Two season, traveling to Grimsby Town tomorrow (Saturday).
Following a 0-0 opening day draw at home to Cambridge United last weekend, City go in hunt of their first win of the campaign - with action at Blundell Park set to get underway from 1.00pm.
Grimsby got their own season off to the perfect start, with a 2-0 victory away to Morecambe last week.
The Mariners finished 17th in Sky Bet League Two last season, but currently sit in second after their triumph at the Globe Arena.
With over 1,800 Bantams supporters set to pack out the away end, here is all the information you need ahead of the game, in our Big Match Preview!
TEAM NEWS
City: Gary Bowyer could name the same lineup which started last week’s draw against the U’s, with Jermaine Anderson fit despite being withdrawn in the second period at the Utilita Energy Stadium.
Paudie O’Connor is back in contention for the Bantams and could be pushing for a start. The Irish centre-back missed the majority of pre-season with an injury but has trained all week.
After making their debuts in City’s opening game, Clayton Donaldson, Adam Henley, Jackson Longridge, Matt Palmer, Ben Richards-Everton and James Vaughan will all bear heritage numbers on their shirts, if involved.
Grimsby: Grimsby boss Michael Jolley is expected to stick with the same line-up which overcame Morecambe last week, meaning two former Bantams may face Gary Bowyers men.
City legend and ‘History Maker’ James Hanson could make his second appearance against the Bantams in four months, having turned out for AFC Wimbledon at the Utilita Energy Stadium in May.
And former academy player Luke Hendrie - son of former Bantams midfielder John - spent half a season on loan in West Yorkshire during the 2017/18 campaign.
WHAT THE MANAGERS SAID
Gary Bowyer: "I have watched Grimsby’s game against Morecambe, last weekend. They performed very well and deservedly won the match.
"They will be buoyed by that and the fact it is their first home game of the season, so we are expecting an extremely tough game.
"They are a very physical, competitive team and we are going to have to be better than them in every department."
Michael Jolley: "Bradford City are a very big club in this division. Every time they are in this league they are expected to do well - and rightly so.
"They have fantastic support and a strong history, but so have Grimsby Town.
"We are excited about the game on Saturday - there will be a great atmosphere inside the stadium.
"I know our fans are going to get behind us, so we are looking forward to the game."
KIT COLOURS
The Bantams will be debuting their all-new 2019/20 'Vibrant Orange' third strip for Saturday’s trip to Grimsby.
Revealed earlier today through a campaign dubbed #OurEnergy, the shirt is a loud shade of orange with shaded hoops and black trim, orange shorts and orange socks.
City: Vibrant Orange with Black Detail / Vibrant Orange with Black Detail / Vibrant Orange with Black Detail
Grimsby: Black and White Stripes / Black / Black
LAST TIME OUT
City’s last meeting with the Mariners came 10 seasons ago, in February 2010.
Again in the fourth tier, the two sides played out a 0-0 draw at the Utilita Energy Stadium.
Bradford City 0
Grimsby Town 0
Coca Cola League Two
Saturday February 13, 2010
Attendance: 11,321
City: Glennon; Ramsden, Clarke, Rehman, O’Brien; Neilson (Brandon 90+1’), Flynn, Bullock, Evans (Osborne 72’); Hanson, Thorne (Boulding 65’). SUBS (not used): McLaughlan, Williams, Bateson, O’Leary.
Grimsby: Colgan; Wright, Lancashire, Sweeney, Widdowson; Coulson (Akpa Akpro 71’), Sinclair, Atkinson (booked), Bore; Proudlock (Hudson 85’), Peacock (Leary 76’) (booked). SUBS (not used): Overton, Hegarty, Linwood, Fletcher.
MATCH OFFICIALS
Tomorrow’s man in the middle, Tom Hamer, was in charge of two City games last season: Our 4-0 victory at home to Walsall and 2-0 defeat to Rochdale at the Utilita Energy Stadium.
The Lancashire official dished out seven bookings over these two fixtures.
His two assistants are Ian Dudley and Hristo Karaivanov, with David Benton taking fourth official duty.
MATCH COVERAGE
Supporters unable to make the trip to Blundell Park tomorrow can follow live match action via the club’s official Twitter page.
The live feed will provide minute-by-minute coverage of the clash in addition to updates on other social media outlets such as Facebook and Instagram.
Full audio match commentary is available to iFollow Bantams subscribers, while BBC Radio Leeds’ Tim Steere and Andy Kiwomya will provide live radio commentary at 774 kHz on FM and DAB.
IFollow subscribers can also catch all the reaction with post-match interviews and content, while supporters based outside the UK with a package can even tune into a live video stream!
BACK THE BANTAMS - WITH SKY BET
City supporters can back the Bantams for victory in Lincolnshire with Sky Bet.
Gary Bowyer’s men are currently priced at 6/5 favourites with the bookmaker to take all three points on Saturday.
City fans can place their bets by CLICKING HERE.
PLEASE NOTE: All odds are subject to change.