The Bantams are on the road on Saturday, this time with a trip to Gloucestershire to face Sky Bet League Two leaders Forest Green at 3.00pm.
Forest Green sit at the top of the tree and have done so for the majority of the season, enjoying an eight-point lead over the chasing pack.
A difficult run of form has seen Rovers winless in five, losing two of those, but their exceptional start to the season has given them breathing room in the promotion race.
The sides played out a draw in the reverse fixture. Andy Cook’s early goal was cancelled out by Jake Young’s second half effort, with neither side able to find a winner.
We have put together an Opposition Guide to give you all the information you need to know about our 36th opponent of the season.
TRANSFER ACTIVITY
The Greens only made one addition during the January window, focusing instead on retaining their assets, tying Matt Stevens and Luke McGee to new contracts.
INCOMINGS: Kasey McAteer (Leicester City, loan).
ONES TO WATCH
Nicky Cadden
Cadden has a greater chance-per-90’ average than any other member of the Greens’ squad with a whopping 2.15.
The midfielder is something of a set-piece specialist, with his inswinging corners a dangerous asset for Rob Edwards’ side.
Cadden has 16 goal contributions this season, scoring 10 and providing six more.
Kane Wilson
Right-back Kane Wilson has registered 12 assists and two goals this season, across all competitions.
The full-back’s desire to get forward adds a different dimension to Rovers’ play, with manager Rob Edwards favouring a formation with three centre-backs and attacking wing-backs.
Wilson has amassed more goal contributions than any full-back in the league, an impressive feat for the 21-year-old.
Jack Aitchison
Aitchison joined the club for the second time last summer, having signed on loan for the 2019/20 season from Celtic.
The forward joined on loan again in August, this time signing from Barnsley after moving to the Tykes from Scotland.
The 21-year-old is one of five players at the club to amass over 10 goal contributions this season, with seven goals and four assists to his name.
CAPTAIN
Jamille Matt was named the Greens’ club captain at the start of the season, and has contributed more goals this season than any of his teammates.
Matt swept up the club awards at the end of last season - being voted both Fans’ and Players’ Player of the Season after scoring 16 goals, including a heroic effort in the play-off semi-final.
Jamaican-born Matt operates as a target man and has formed an unstoppable partnership with fellow striker - and fellow Matt - Matt Stevens, with 38 league goals between them.
MANAGER
Rob Edwards is the man in the dugout at the Fully Charged New Lawn Stadium, having replaced interim boss Jimmy Ball ahead of the 2021/22 season.
Edwards joins Rovers after working as the England Under-16s head coach and under-20 assistant for the FA.
The former Premier League centre-back's only other experience as the No.1 came with Wolverhampton Wanderers as the under-23s coach, where he achieved promotion to the highest tier of youth football.
LAST MATCH
Salford 1 (Matt Smith 7’)
FGR 1 (Matt Stevens 53’)
FGR: Luke McGee; Dan Sweeney, Udoka Godwin-Malife, Dominic Bernard (Baily Cargill 80’), Been Stevenson; Nicky Cadden, Kane Wilson, Ebrima Adams (booked 71’), Jamile Matt © (booked 63’); Matt Stevens (Josh March 78’), Jack Aitchison (Kasey McAteer 69’) SUBS (not used): Regan Hendry, Lewis Thomas, Sadou Diallo, Jake Young
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Meetings: 4
City Wins: 1
Draws: 2
Forest Green Wins: 1