Bradford vs Notts County

League Two

In a bid to salvage their slim hopes of making it to the playoffs, Bradford City and Notts County are set to clash in a crucial League Two encounter at the University of Bradford Stadium on Tuesday night.

Bradford City had a disappointing outing against league leaders Mansfield Town over the weekend, while Notts County managed to secure a draw against Accrington Stanley on the same day. Bradford's playoff aspirations took a further hit after a dismal first-half performance against Mansfield, where they conceded four goals, making it an uphill battle to salvage the match.

Despite a consolation goal from Andy Cook after halftime, Mansfield sealed their dominance with a fifth goal. Bradford, who finished sixth last season, face an arduous task to repeat their playoff qualification, currently languishing in 15th place, seven points adrift of the top seven.

Though Bradford has played fewer games than most of their rivals, their recent 5-1 defeat hardly inspires confidence ahead of the crucial fixture against Notts County.

Concerns about the subpar condition of their home ground, Valley Parade, have compounded their recent struggles. On the other hand, Notts County, after a promising end to 2023, have found it challenging to maintain momentum in their first Football League season since 2019. Despite a recent draw, they've struggled, winning only one League Two match in the new year.

Manager Stuart Maynard hopes the draw against Accrington Stanley signals a turning point, but the team has faced difficulties adapting to life after their former manager's departure. Unlike last season's successful campaign under Luke Williams, Notts County has faltered under Maynard's leadership, winning just once in nine attempts.

As the season approaches its climax, Notts County's top scorer, Macaulay Langstaff, remains a key asset, contending for the fourth-tier Golden Boot. Bradford, likely to make changes to their lineup after their recent poor showing, might see Liam Ridehalgh relegated to the bench, with potential starts for players like Tyreik Wright and Calum Kavanagh.

Meanwhile, Notts County might consider midfield alterations, with players like Charlie Colkett vying for a starting spot alongside John Bostock.

Predicted lineups:

Bradford City:

Walker; Gilliead, Tomkinson, Kelly, Richards; Smallwood, Walker, McDonald; Kavanagh, Wright, Cook

Notts County:

Slocombe; Macari, Baldwin, Cameron; Nemane, O'Brien, Bostock, Jones, Austin; Jatta, Langstaff