The Bantams will be aiming to begin their 2021/22 Papa John’s Trophy campaign on a positive note when hosting Sky Bet League One side Lincoln City this evening (7.00pm).
The Imps have had a challenging start to their league campaign one win, one draw and three defeats leaving them in 20th place.
The visitors did, however, win their opening group stage game of this competition 3-2 against Manchester United Under-21s - at the LNER Stadium.
We have put together an Opposition Guide to give you all the information you need to know about our opponents.
TRANSFER ACTIVITY
Lincoln have had a fairly quiet summer transfer window, with only four players permanently arriving at the LNER Stadium and five departing for good - including last season’s top goal-scorer, Jorge Grant.
INCOMINGS: Josh Griffiths (West Bromwich Albion under-23s, loan), Timothy Eyoma (Tottenham Hotspur under-23s), Lewis Fiorini (Manchester City under-23s, loan), Lasse Sorensen (Stoke City), Teddy Bishop (Ipswich Town), Chris Maguire (Sunderland), Hakeeb Adelakun (Bristol City), Dan N’Lundulu (Southampton, loan).
OUTGOINGS: Ethan Ross (Stockport County), Jorge Grant (Peterborough United), James Jones (Wrexham), Harry Anderson (Bristol Rovers), Zack Elbouzedi (Allsvenskan), Theo Archibald (Leyton Orient, loan).
ONES TO WATCH
Liam Bridcutt
The midfielder and club captain is an experienced individual with over 350 career appearances to his name - including two for the Scotland national team.
After having a loan spell with the club in the second half of the 2019/20 campaign, the former Chelsea academy product joined the Imps permanently in the summer of 2020.
Anthony Scully
The 22-year-old has made an impressive start to the season, with six goals in seven matches including four in his last two outings.
Scully joined the Imps from West Ham United in February 2020 and has so far netted 25 times in 66 appearances.
Teddy Bishop
Before joining the club this summer, Bishop spent seven years at Ipswich Town where the midfielder made 132 appearances in total.
He has played six times so far for the Imps and provided one assist.
MANAGER
Michael Appleton has been in charge of the Imps since September 2019, after previously having spells at Portsmouth, Blackpool, Blackburn Rovers, and Oxford United.
He has managed Lincoln on 97 occasions, winning 40, drawing 23, and losing 34 - giving him an overall win percentage of 41.2.
Appleton also guided his side to the Sky Bet League One Play-Off Final last season.
LAST MATCH
Oxford United 3 (James Henry 12’, 24’, 73’ pen).
Lincoln City 1 (Anthony Scully 87’ pen).
Sky Bet League One
LINCOLN: Josh Griffiths; Regan Poole, Adam Jackson, Lewis Montsma, Cohen Bramall; Liam Bridcutt, Lasse Sorensen, Conor McGrandles (Lewis Fiorini 69’), Hakeeb Adelakun (Ramirez Longdon 88’); Anthony Scully, Teddy Bishop. SUBS (not used): Sam Long, Timothy Joel Eyoma, Billy Brooks.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Meetings: 83
City Wins: 33
Draws: 22
Lincoln Wins: 28
To purchase e-Tickets for this evening's clash - right up until kick-off - please CLICK HERE.