PREVIEW: Bradford

Bradford City v Carlisle United, Saturday 21 January, kick off 3pm

Bradford come into this game well and truly in the promotion mix with just two defeats from their last five league games.

If it feels like we've only just played each other - that's because we have, with the sides last meeting on Boxing Day (see below for highlights of that game).

The transfer window has already been a busy one for Mark Hughes with veteran forward Matt Derbyshire the first through the door on an 18-month deal.

20-year-old winger Thierry Nevers was next in on a loan agreement from West Ham, and Burnley forward Dara Costelloe penned a similar deal.

Defender Tolaji Bola came in from Rotherham until the end of the campaign, with Mark Hughes confirming that he still wanted to add more competition for places before the beginning of February after that announcement had been made.

It's tight at the top, so expect the Bantams to be sharp out of the blocks on Saturday afternoon.

As mentioned above, there have been some excellent additions to a very good squad this month, but those 16 goals from 29 appearances so far this season from Andy Cook are hard to ignore.

Whether starting or coming off the bench, he's a handful, and we can expect to see him at some point on Saturday afternoon if he doesn't make the 11.

A product of our youth team, we know all too well that he has more than just being a targetman in his repertoire. 

Strong and athletic, he can hold the ball up and link the play, and he has a real eye for the nets if you give him half a glimpse. 

Click HERE to purchase a match pass that will allow you to listen to this fixture.  

With match commentary provided by BBC Radio Cumbria, this is a fantastic way to follow your team through the season.

Match audio passes are available for ALL EFL league games - click HERE to find out more about this season’s iFollow United service.

The home game on Boxing Day in 2022 ended with a 1-0 victory for the Blues thanks to a first half header from Paul Huntington.

Watch the highlights from that game here:

United's final game of the 21/22 season was a 2-0 away defeat at Valley Parade. Lee Angol and Jamie Walker scored either side of the break for the hosts.

Watch the highlights from that game here:

These teams met in Carlisle in January 2022 and goals from former Bantams Omari Patrick and Jordan Gibson sealed the deal for the hosts.

Watch the highlights from that fixture here:

March 2021 brought the Bantams to Brunton Park as Rhys Bennett (2) and Ozzy Zanzala opened up a three-goal lead. Paudie O'Connor bagged a consolation, but the points stayed in Cumbria.

Watch the highlights from that game here:

Rhys Bennett bagged the only goal of the game in December 2020 to earn the Cumbrians a deserved away win.

Watch the highlights from that game here:

A game blighted by red cards went the way of the Bantams back in September, as they bagged three in response to Olufela Olomola's early opener, but the match became a difficult one to measure for the Blues following a first-half sending off for Jack Bridge.

Watch the highlights from that game here:

We hadn't seen Bradford prior to that since the 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 the July 2018 pre-season friendly, played at Brunton Park. 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:

Referee - Will Finnie
Assistant Referee 1 - Nik Barnard
Assistant Referee 2 - Daniel Woodward
Fourth Official - Lisa Rashid
Observer - Joe Copeland

Mr Finnie has taken charge of 20 games so far this season and has shown 66 yellow cards and one red.

He was with us in November 2021 for our incident packed away game at Exeter. Jon Mellish was sent off just before half time and the Grecians netted twice in the second period to build up a cushion. It was one they needed as Jordan Gibson bagged our late equaliser. Mark Howard was our other booking that day.

He was the man in the middle for our 2-0 away defeat at Cheltenham in August 2019, where Gav Reilly and Luke Varney scored the goals for the hosts. Jack Iredale, Nathan Thomas and Stefan Scougall had their names taken on the day.

We have been allocated 1,126 seating tickets in the Bradford Lifts stand with more available if needed.

Tickets are available on the day of the game but, please note, there will be no cash turnstiles.

If a ticket is needed on match day, away supporters can log onto the Bradford ticketing system by scanning the large QR code located at the away turnstile on Midland Road. Follow the online instructions to then make your purchase.

Prices increase on the day of the game.

Away ticket collection is also available at Midland Road.

Price Guide:                                   

Ambulant disabled and wheelchair user supporters pay the relevant price, with the carer free of charge.

Junior 11 & under must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

Methods of purchase:

• In person – come to the main ticket office at the designated time.
• Phone – ring the ticket office 03300 945 930 option 1 at the designated times and pay with a credit / debit card.
• Internet – buy online HERE.

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If you wish to purchase bus travel you can organise this by calling CUSAT on 07563 700 987.