The Bantams are making the short journey north to visit local rivals Harrogate Town this weekend, with kick-off scheduled for 1.00pm on Saturday in Sky Bet League Two.
Town have enjoyed their second season in the EFL after a strong start to the campaign, earning 34 points after 26 games.
City are yet to beat Town in a competitive match having met for the first time last season, with the weekend’s hosts coming out on top on both occasions.
Per the pandemic, this is the first time the Bantams fans will have seen their side play at Wetherby Road in a competitive setting.
We have put together an opposition guide to give you all the information you need to know about our 29th league opponent of the season.
TRANSFER ACTIVITY
Town allowed 16 players to depart Wetherby Road in the summer, while signing eight new players.
The North Yorkshire side optimised the loan market in the January window, signing four players on loan and Leon Legge on a permanent deal.
INCOMINGS: Rory McArdle (Exeter City), Mark Oxley (Southend United), Nathan Sheron (Fleetwood), Alex Pattison (Wycombe), Lewis Page (Exeter City), Danilo Orsi (Maidenhead United), Luke Armstrong (Salford), Jack Diamond (Sunderland, loan), Calum Kavanagh (Middlesborough, loan), Lewis Richards (Wolves, loan), Brahima Diarra (Huddersfield, loan), Josh Austerfield (Huddersfield, loan), Leon Legge (Port Vale).
OUTGOINGS: Calvin Miller (Chesterfield), Tom Walker (Stockport), Ed Francis (Notts County), Jake Lawlor (Hartlepool), Brendan Kiernan (Walsall), Melvin Minter (Chesterfield), Jay Williams (Rushden & Diamonds), James Belshaw (Bristol Rovers), Connor Hall (Port Vale), Kevin Lokko (Aldershot), Connor Kirby (Altrincham, loan), Mark Beck (York City), Aaron Martin (Halifax Town), Joe Leesley (Boston United), Danilo Orsi (Boreham Wood), Scott Brown (Retired).
ONES TO WATCH
Luke Armstrong
Armstrong is Town’s top scorer this season, netting 10 goals across all competitions.
The 25-year-old joined the club from Salford last summer after a profitable loan spell with Hartlepool where he scored 13 goals in the second half of the season to help earn Pools earn promotion.
The forward has also provided three assists for Town meaning he has had a direct goal involvement of nearly one in every two matches.
Jack Muldoon
Muldoon is an experienced forward who has spent the past four years in North Yorkshire.
The forward signed from non-league AFC Fylde in 2018 and has gone on to finish as Town’s top scorer in each of his first three seasons.
The 31-year-old’s goal-scoring form shows no sign of stopping, having netted nine goals already this season.
Alex Pattison
Pattison operates as a creative midfielder and plies his trade from the centre of the park.
The 24-year-old boasts a wealth of experience beyond his years, having played in all three EFL divisions with Wycombe and Yeovil.
Alex has scored six goals and registered four assists across the first half of the season and is definitely one to keep an eye on.
CAPTAIN
Josh Falkingham is Town’s most decorated captain of all time having led them to two league titles and FA Trophy success.
Falkingham moved to Wetherby Road from Darlington in 2018 and was named captain in his first season at the club.
The 31-year-old was born and raised in West Yorkshire, starting his career with Leeds United's academy before a move north of the border to join St. Johnstone.
MANAGER
Simon Weaver will be very familiar with the dugout at Weatherby Road as he is in the midst of a near-13-year stint with Town.
Son of owner Irving Weaver, the father-and-son duo have brought unparalleled success to Harrogate - earning the club’s first promotion to the football league.
Weaver is the longest-serving manager in England’s top four divisions and will likely continue to be so for a significant tenure.
LAST MATCH
Mansfield 0
Town 0
TOWN: Mark Oxley; Lewis Page, George Thompson, Lewis Richards (Warren Burrell 15’), Rory McArdle (booked 41’, Leon Legge 62’); Josh Falkingham ©, Jack Diamond, Alex Pattison, Brahima Diarra (booked 88’); Luke Armstrong, Calum Kavanagh (Jack Muldoon 73’) SUBS (not used): Josh Austerfield, Mark Beck, Joe Cracknell
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Meetings: 2
City Wins: 0
Draws: 0
Town Wins: 2