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Match Previews

BIG MATCH PREVIEW: CITY v FOREST GREEN ROVERS

29 October 2021

Match Previews

BIG MATCH PREVIEW: CITY v FOREST GREEN ROVERS

29 October 2021

The Bantams are back on home soil this weekend - as they welcome top-of-the-league Forest Green Rovers in a 3.00pm kick-off in Sky Bet League Two.

Forest Green have been fastest out of the blocks this season, sitting five points clear at the top of the table after 14 games.

City have only played the Greens on three occasions, with the results being equally split: both sides have one win, with the other game ending a draw.

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: Liam Ridehalgh remain Callum Cooke are doubts for Saturday’s clash, despite Cooke returning to training on Thursday.

Sam Hornby has trained with a protective mask after sustaining a facial injury, though is still not expected to feature. 

Jorge Sikora will be unavailable, having joined Spennymoor Town on an initial 28-day loan, while Abo Eisa and Lee Angol remain out. 

Forest Green: Rob Edwards will be without centre-halves Dan Sweeney and Jordan Moore-Taylor as the pair continue to recover from their respective injuries.

Rovers will however have Udoka Godwin-Malife at their disposal, as the centre-back replaced the injured Moore-Taylor for his first minutes since August on Saturday.

Elliott Whitehouse remains on the sidelines, having yet to appear for Rovers this season.

WHAT THE MANAGERS SAID

Derek Adams: “The mood has been as positive as it always is. 

“We had a good win away at Swindon Town last weekend, who were in form, and are just looking forward to being back home again.

“Over the course of the season, we have gone toe to toe with every team we have taken on. 

“We certainly did that on Saturday at Swindon, and are looking to do it again - against Forest Green - this weekend.”

Rob Edwards: “It is a fantastic stadium, with a brilliant crowd that get behind the team - and Bradford have some very good players.

“It has been a tough month, with a lot of travelling and some very tough fixtures, and so far we have stood up to the challenge well, but we have got a massive challenge to end it.

“We have had a good week’s training - off the back of a good performance against Salford - and what we want to try and do is finish off strongly, before the cup games.”

MATCH COVERAGE 

City supporters unable to make it to the Utilita Energy Stadium can follow the action with regular updates on the club’s official Twitter page. 

You will also be able to catch 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 frequencies in Bradford - and the BBC Sounds app.

IFollow subscribers can also catch all the reaction - with post-match interviews and content. 

LAST TIME OUT

The Bantams enjoyed last season’s clash at the Utilita Energy Stadium, beating the visitors 4-1. 

An emphatic second-half performance from City put the Greens to the sword as Andy Cook netted a brace to add to Elliot Watt’s opening goal.

An injury-time goal per side confirmed the Bantams as victors at Valley Parade. 

CITY 4 (Elliot Watt 11’, Andy Cook 47’, 76’, Danny Rowe 90+4)

FGR 1 (Jake Young 90’)

CITY: Richard O’Donnell ©; Niall Canavan (booked 86’), Paudie O’Connor, Anthony O’Connor (booked 31’), Connor Wood; Gareth Evans (Billy Clarke 72’), Kian Scales (Ollie Crankshaw 85’), Elliot Watt (booked 77’), Finn Cousin-Dawson; Clayton Donaldson (Charles Vernam 81’), Andy Cook (Danny Rowe 81’). Subs (not used): Sam Hornby, Jordan Stevens, Matty Foulds. 

FOREST GREEN: Lewis Thomas; Kane Wilson, Dominic Bernard, Chris Stokes ©, Bailey Cargill; Isaac Hutchinson (Taylor Allen 46’), Aaron Collins, Nicholas Cadden (Odin Bailey 71’); Jake Young, Elliott Whitehouse. Subs (not used): Luke McGee, Scott Wagstaff, Udoka Godwin-Malfie, Josh Davison, Jayden Richardson. 

MATCH OFFICIALS

Marc Edwards is the man in the middle for the weekend’s clash, taking charge of his 10th game of the season. 

Mr Edwards has only been in the middle of one Sky Bet League Two game so far this season - taking charge of Port Vale’s 2-3 loss to Rochdale. 

Kevin Mulraine and Richard Bartlett join Edwards on the flanks, whilst Matthew Dicicco is acting as fourth official.

BACK THE BANTAMS - WITH SKY BET

City supporters can back their team for victory this Saturday with Sky Bet.

Bantams fans can flutter on Derek Adams’ side to win the tie at 15/8.

Supporters can place their bets by CLICKING HERE.

PLEASE NOTE: All odds are subject to change. Please gamble responsibly. 

KIT COLOURS

The Bantams will don their white home strip at the Utilita Energy Stadium, while the visitors will wear their full light blue third kit.

Bantams: White / Claret / Amber 

Forest Green: Blue / Blue / Blue

Supporters have until 11.59PM TONIGHT to secure tickets for tomorrow's clash at a discounted, pre-matchday rate, by CLICKING HERE


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