The Bantams return to the Utilita Energy Stadium on Saturday after successive wins on the road, with Port Vale the latest to visit West Yorkshire for a Sky Bet League Two clash.
The Vale make the trip in a similar vein of form to City, winning their last two games, one of which an impressive 3-1 win over Mansfield Town on Tuesday.
While the Bantams’ back-to-back wins came on the road, the Valiants have won both of their last two fixtures at home, with both sides looking to transfer their fortune into a different environment.
Vale sit four points adrift of the play-offs with two games in hand on Bristol Rovers and Swindon, who occupy the final two spots.
We have put together an Opposition Guide, to give you all the latest information on this weekend’s opponents.
TRANSFER ACTIVITY
Eight players made the switch to Vale Park in January, four of which joined the club on loan until the end of the season.
INCOMINGS: Ryan Edmonson (Leeds, loan), Kian Harratt (Huddersfield, loan), Chris Hussey (Cheltenham), Connor Hall (Harrogate), Harry Charsley (Mansfield), Tomas Holy (Ipswich, loan), Joel Cooper (Oxford, loan), Sammy Robinson (Manchester City).
OUTGOINGS: Leon Legge (Harrogate Town).
ONES TO WATCH
Ben Garrity
Ben Garrity is the Valiants' top goal-scorer with 10 goals from the middle of the park.
The 25-year-old operates as an attacking box-to-box midfielder and specialises in late arrivals into the box to tuck home loose balls.
Garrity signed on a permanent deal from Blackpool in the summer and has been a mainstay of Darrell Clarke’s side.
Kian Harratt
Kian Harratt joined the club on loan from Huddersfield in the winter transfer window and has since netted four goals in 12 games.
Harratt scored two late strikes against Mansfield in the week after coming off the bench, keeping Vale’s promotion hopes alive.
The 19-year-old spent time with Harrogate and Guiseley on loan, with his move to the Valiants being his first experience of league football.
James Wilson
James Wilson has the highest number of goal contributions in the Valiants squad with 12. The forward has nine goals and three assists to his name.
Wilson’s most recent goal came midweek, bringing Vale level in their crucial promotion clash with Mansfield.
The 26-year-old boasts a wealth of experience, despite his age, having made appearances in the double figures for Manchester United before representing the likes of Derby and Brighton.
CAPTAIN
Tom Conlon was named club captain ahead of the 2021/22 league season.
The attacking midfielder joined the club after an impressive trial period during the summer of 2018.
The 26-year-old will miss the remainder of the season due to an achilles injury.
MANAGER
Darrell Clarke has been in charge at Vale Park since the summer and, despite a brief run of poor form prior to Christmas, has the Valiants firmly in the promotion race.
Clarke spent his playing career in the EFL, initially with Mansfield Town before joining Hartlepool United.
The 43-year-old achieved back-to-back promotions with current Sky Bet League Two outfit Bristol Rovers, guiding them from the National League to Sky Bet League One.
He will not be in the dugout on Saturday having taken a period of leave, with assistant Andy Crosby instead taking his place.
LAST MATCH
Port Vale 3 (James Wilson 33’, Kian Harratt 76’, 88’)
Mansfield 1 (Rhys Oates 22’)
VALE: Aidan Stone (booked 90+1’); Nathan Smith, Connor Hall, Aaron Martin, Tom Pett © (booked 35’); David Worrall, Ben Garrity, Harry Charsley (Brad Walker 69’), Chris Hussey (Malvind Benning 67’); Jamie Proctor, James Wilson (Kian Harratt). SUBS (not used): David Amoo, Joel Cooper, Tomas Holy, Ryan Edmonson.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Meetings: 111
Vale wins: 34
Draws: 32
City wins: 45
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