The Bantams will begin their 2021/22 Papa John’s Trophy campaign at home to Sky Bet League One side Lincoln City at 7.00pm this evening.
This is set to be the first time the two teams will have faced off in this competition. It is also only their second meeting altogether since February 2011.
We have created a Big Match Preview to give you all the key details you need to know, heading into the encounter.
TEAM NEWS
City: Finn Cousin-Dawson will not be available for selection, due to being called up for international duty with Northern Ireland Under-21s.
The Bantams will also still be without Oscar Threlkeld and Levi Sutton, but both men are now back in training.
Lee Angol and Abo Eisa also remain sidelined due to injury, though Fiacre Kelleher and Caolan Lavery could make their first competitive starts for the club.
Lincoln: The Imps are currently hampered by injury problems of their own, including forwards Tom Hopper and Dan Nlundulu who are both set to miss tonight's encounter.
Summer signing Chris Maguire is also set to be denied making his debut for the club, due to his ongoing injury.
WHAT THE MANAGERS SAID
Derek Adams: “This is a game which will give certain players an opportunity to express themselves.
“Of course, our aim is to win, but we are likely to make changes in order to utilise the squad.”
Michael Appleton: “We had a disappointing result at the weekend, so we need to make sure we bounce back.
“We are all aware we started the game poorly, and we need to come into this one more prepared.
“It would be nice to get the job done and progress to the next stage of the competition.”
LAST TIME OUT
The Imps emphatically saw off the Bantams with a 5-0 victory at the Utilita Energy Stadium in the second round of the Carabao Cup, just under a year ago.
City 0
Lincoln 5
Tuesday 15 September 2020
CITY: Richard O’Donnell ©; Paudie O’Connor (booked 45+2’), Ben Richards-Everton (Reece Staunton 46’), Anthony O’Connor, Tyler French (Dylan Mottley-Henry 46’); Connor Wood, Elliot Watt (booked 31’), Harry Pritchard, Callum Cooke; Clayton Donaldson, Kurtis Guthrie. SUBS (not used): Sam Hornby (GK); Jackson Longridge, Lee Novak, Zeli Ismail, Billy Clarke.
LINCOLN: Alex Palmer; Max Melbourne, Lewis Montsma, Adam Jackson, James Jones (Liam Bridcutt 84’); Jorge Grant, Anthony Scully (Remy Howarth 67’), Conor McGrandles, Callum Morton; Timothy, Eyoma, Harry Anderson (Tom Hopper 71’). SUBS (not used): Ethan Ross (GK); Tayo Edun, Zachary Elbouzedi, Sean Roughan.
GOALS: Tyler French (4’ OG), Anthony Scully (6’), Lewis Montsma (29’), James Jones (41’), Callum Morton (90+3’).
MATCH COVERAGE
City supporters unable to make it to the Utilita Energy Stadium will be able to catch the encounter with an iFollow video match pass.
The pass - available for £10 - will ensure supporters do not miss a minute of the action, with build-up beginning from 6.00pm.
To purchase an iFollow video match pass, please CLICK HERE.
Supporters can also follow the action with regular updates on the club’s official Twitter page, with updates on other social media platforms, such as Facebook and Instagram.
Full audio match commentary is available to iFollow Bantams subscribers, while BBC Radio Leeds’ Jamie Raynor and Andy Kiwomya will provide live commentary across DAB and FM radio frequencies, and the BBC Sounds app.
MATCH OFFICIALS
Andrew Kitchen took charge of 13 matches during the 2020/21 campaign - issuing a total of 27 yellow cards and two reds.
He has never overseen a game between either of these two clubs.
Kitchen will be flanked by Peter Gooch and Declan Ford, with Lucy May also being confirmed as the fourth official.
BACK THE BANTAMS - WITH SKY BET
City supporters can back their team for victory this evening with Sky Bet.
Derek Adams’ team are currently priced at 21/10 to come out on top in the contest.
Supporters can place their bets by CLICKING HERE.
PLEASE NOTE: All odds are subject to change. Please gamble responsibly.
KIT COLOURS
The Bantams will once again play in their all-white home strip, while the Imps will compete in their red and white home colours.
City: White / Claret / White
Lincoln: Red and White / Black and White / Red and White
To purchase e-Tickets for this evening's clash - right up until kick-off - please CLICK HERE.