Mark Hughes’ Bantams are set to welcome Mansfield Town this Saturday, with the Stags bringing a sell-out away following for the 3.00pm Sky Bet League Two clash.
The clash will mark the Welshman’s first game in charge of City, and a packed away end combined with a bumper home crowd should make for a lively affair.
It was the Bantams who took all three points from the reverse fixture thanks to top goal-scorer Andy Cook, who netted late on to send the City faithful home happy.
The Stags are in a rich vein of form, having won 12 of their last 15 games, but the start of the Mark Hughes at Valley Parade will be sure to lift the City faithful ahead of the clash.
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: Jamie Walker will likely miss the clash due to a tweaked hamstring, with Tom Elliott also expected to remain out.
Reece Staunton and Charles Vernam are both unavailable through injury.
Abo Eisa and Lee Angol remain long-term hamstring absentees, with the latter not requiring surgery.
Mansfield: The Stags will be without centre-back pairing John-Joe O’Toole and Oli Hawkins due to suspension, with the former earning a straight red card last weekend.
Jamie Murphy and Rhys Oates are doubts for the clash, according to manager Nigel Clough.
George Lapslie’s return to training this week will put him in contention for the weekend’s fixture.
WHAT THE MANAGERS SAID
Mark Hughes: “I am really looking forward to the game on Saturday.
“I am really looking forward to getting going, and am confident we can get the results we need to move us up the table.
“Matchdays are what I have missed the most, with the adrenaline of it. I am really looking forward to Saturday.”
Nigel Clough: “Everything is on the table, looking towards Bradford.
“We will see how we go. We have got other options, including changing the formation which we did again on Saturday.
“We are trying to set up to play as we do at home, away from home.”
MATCH COVERAGE
City supporters unable to make the trip 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 former City skipper Gary Jones will provide live commentary on DAB radio across the Bradford district, and via the BBC Sounds app.
IFollow subscribers can also catch all the reaction - with post-match interviews and content.
LAST TIME OUT
The Bantams were on the right side of a thrilling affair in Nottinghamshire at the start of the season, successfully maintaining their unbeaten start to the season.
Paudie O’Connor gave the Bantams an early lead, but an Oli Hawkins double either side of half-time put the hosts in the driving seat.
Charles Vernam’s swift reply to the Stags’ second put City on level terms as the game drew to a close.
Enter Andy Cook, who snatched a winner in the closing stages of the clash to send the travelling fans supporters happy.
CITY: Richard O’Donnell; Finn Cousin-Dawson, Paudie O’Connor, Niall Canavan ©, Liam Ridehalgh; Yann Songo’o, Elliot Watt (Gareth Evans 67’), Callum Cooke (booked 59’, Oliver Crankshaw 83’), Charles Vernam; Alex Gilliead, Andy Cook. SUBS (not used): Sam Hornby (GK), Matthew Foulds, Fiacre Kelleher, Kian Scales, Caolan Lavery.
GOALS: Paudie O’Connor (19’), Charles Vernam (61’), Andy Cook (87’).
MANSFIELD: Nathan Bishop; Elliot Hewitt, Farrend Rawson, James Perch, Stephen McLaughlin; George Maris (Ryan Stirk 50’), Ollie Clarke © (Tyrese Sinclair 88’), Stephen Quinn, Rhys Oates (George Lapslie 72’); Danny Johnson, Oliver Hawkins. SUBS (not used): George Shelvey, Ryan Burke, Kellan Gordon, Jordan Bowery.
GOALS: Oli Hawkins (37’, 52’).
MATCH OFFICIALS
Andrew Kitchen is the man in the middle tomorrow afternoon, his 22nd of the season.
Kitchen’s last game in charge at the Utilita Energy Stadium came in City’s 0-3 loss to Lincoln City in the Papa John's Trophy.
He will be joined by Lisa Rashid and Darren Wilding on the flanks, with Paul Stonier acting as fourth official.
BACK THE BANTAMS - WITH SKY BET
City supporters can back their team for victory Saturday with Sky Bet.
Bantams fans can flutter on Mark Hughes’ side to win the tie at 29/20.
Supporters can place their bets by CLICKING HERE.
PLEASE NOTE: All odds are subject to change. Please gamble responsibly.
KIT COLOURS
City will wear their white 2021/22 home kit for the fixture, with the visitors in blue.
Bantams: White / Claret / Claret
Mansfield: Blue / Blue / Blue
To secure tickets for tomorrow's clash - and see Mark Hughes in charge of the Bantams for the very first time - please CLICK HERE.