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Club News

BIG MATCH PREVIEW: NEWPORT v CITY

21 February 2020

Club News

BIG MATCH PREVIEW: NEWPORT v CITY

21 February 2020

The Bantams contest their second-consecutive away game tomorrow, travelling to Newport County. 

Stuart McCall's side will be looking to bounce back and get back on track on the road in the 3.00pm clash. 

The Exiles remain in the hunt for a play-off place, sat 12 points outside the top seven but with three games in hand over most rivals. 

Michael Flynn's men will be hoping for a revival later in the season, following defeat in the Sky Bet League Two Play-Off Final last season. 

We have compiled a Big Match Preview full of in-depth pre-match analysis - ahead of the encounter. 

TEAM NEWS

City: Stuart McCall will be hoping to call upon Callum Cooke again, after the midfielder has missed the last two games with a back spasm. 

The City boss has no fresh injury concerns from last week's trip to Cambridge United, with Harry Pritchard and Clayton Donaldson potentially set to return to the starting line-up. 

Kelvin Mellor is moving closer to fitness, though tomorrow's encounter should come too early for him. 

Newport: Injury-hit Newport are again set to be without key players for the visit of City. 

Left-back Ryan Haynes will be missing after coming off injured in midweek, while right-backs Ashley Baker and Dan Leadbitter are out for the season. 

Michael Flynn will be hoping to recall Mark O’Brien and George Nurse, but backup goalkeeper Nick Townsend remains out for the remainder of the season. 

WHAT THE MANAGERS SAID

Stuart McCall: 

Michael Flynn: 

LAST TIME OUT

The return fixture, played at the beginning of December, saw the Bantams return to winning ways with a 1-0 victory. 

A James Vaughan penalty, just before the hour mark, saw City pick up all three points at the Utilita Energy Stadium. 

Bradford City 1 (James Vaughan 58' pen)

Newport County 0

Sky Bet League Two

Saturday December 7th 2019

Attendance: 14,060 (350 visitors)

City: Richard O’Donnell; Kelvin Mellor, Paudie O’Connor (booked 61’), Anthony O’Connor, Adam Henley; Connor Wood, Jakes Reeves (booked 89’), Callum Cooke (Tyler French 90+9’), Chris Taylor (booked 62’) (Jermaine Anderson 90+5’); Aramide Oteh (booked 51’) (Dylan Connolly 88’), James Vaughan ©. Subs (not used): George Sykes-Kenworthy (GK); Matt Palmer, Zeli Ismail, Shay McCartan.

Newport: Nick Townsend (booked 56’); Ryan Haynes, Danny McNamara (Dom Poleon 75’), Matt Dolan (Lewis Collins 85’), Padraig Amond; Josh Sheehan (booked 34’), Tristan Abrahams, George Nurse (booked 65’), Taylor Maloney; Mark O’Brien ©, Ryan Inniss. Subs (not used): Tom King (GK); Dom Jefferies, Joe Woodiwiss.  

MATCH OFFICIALS
 
Josh Smith has overseen 23 matches so far this season, dishing out 74 yellow cards and six dismissals.
 
The official will be in the middle of his first-ever Newport County and Bradford City games, with this his first season refereeing in the EFL. 
 
Smith will be assisted by Darren Wilding and David Plowright, with Paul Hobday appointed fourth official. 
 
MATCH COVERAGE

Supporters unable to make it to Rodney Parade tomorrow can follow 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 their team for victory tomorrow with Sky Bet.

The hosts are currently placed as 23/20 favourites to record three points, with Jamille Matt, Padraid Amond and Tristan Abrahams all 9/2 favourites to break the deadlock. 

City fans can place their bets by CLICKING HERE.

PLEASE NOTE: All odds are subject to change.

KIT COLOURS

City will wear their all-white away kit for consecutive weeks at Newport, with the hosts in their all-amber home colours. 

City: White with Claret and Amber / White with Claret Detail / White with Claret Detail

Newport: Amber / Amber / Amber


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