MATCH PREVIEW: We head to Bradford on Saturday

The games keep coming thick and fast and it's a first league visit to Valley Parade in five seasons for United this weekend as we take on promotion-hopefuls Bradford City on their own patch.

The Bantams were in the top seven slots until they fell to a late Ben Tozer goal and a 3-2 defeat at Cheltenham on Tuesday night. That brought an end to a mini-run of back-to-back league wins which had seen them rocket up the early season table.

Relegated from League One last term Bradford settled quickly as they went on a four-game unbeaten run at the start of the campaign. Clayton Donaldson and James Vaughan are proving to be a handful, but goals are coming from all over the pitch with a very attack-minded style of play being adopted. 

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From the manager

Image removed.Speaking ahead of the game, Steven Pressley said: "We expect a different kind of game to the one we saw on Tuesday night, but it's another we're looking forward to.

"They'll be relatively pleased with their start but I know, like us, they'll be demanding more. From what we've seen they're a side that likes to attack in numbers and they get forward and support the strikers well.

"As ever, it comes down to us and how we do things. We're picking up wins and putting in solid performances away from home and we want that to continue. This is a big ground and a club with a lot of history and it's the type of game every player should enjoy.

"We've put in some strong performances recently and we go there with no fear. We want to keep in touch with the top seven places and the only way for us to do that is to pick up points. That's what we're looking to do again this weekend."

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Head2Head

  Carlisle wins Draws Bradford wins
League 13 12 19
Cup 1 0 0
League Cup 1 1 0
FA Cup 1 0 1
Total 16 13 20

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Highlights from previous meetings

Our last league meeting was a 1-0 home victory at Brunton Park back in February 2014. Striker Lee Miller scored the only goal of the game - and it was an absolute stunner - and keeping goal for the Blues that night was a certain young man called Jordan Pickford.

Watch the highlights from that game here:

A more recent meeting between the teams was last season's pre-season friendly, played at Brunton Park at the end of July. It was a tight game with the winner coming in time added on when Richie Bennett got on the end of a deflected Hallam Hope shot.

Watch the highlights from that game here:

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The man in the middle

Image removed.Our referee for this game is Mr John Busby. He has taken charge of nine games so far this season showing 32 yellow cards and two reds.

Now into his fourth season as an EFL official, it's perhaps somewhat surprising that this is just our second game with Mr Busby on the whistle.

The only game he's refereed involving us thus far was the 1-1 away draw at Exeter in March 2018. Dean Moxey put the Grecians ahead just before half time, but Ashley Nadesan pegged them back with a great finish just after the hour mark. Luke Joyce and Gary Liddle had their names taken on the day.

Referee - John Busby
Assistant 1 - Ian Dudley
Assistant 2 - Stephen Wade
Fourth Official - Joe Simpson

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Is that a fact?

Bradford has been named Curry Capital of Britain for five years running, annually soaking up praise for its fine curry restaurants.

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Match tickets

Full match ticket details are HERE.

You can purchase your tickets online HERE.

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