MX23RW : Wednesday, December 18 07:53:34| >> :600:1628571:1628571:
[monks data]
Bradford City
League Two | Gameweek 28
Mar 21, 2023 at 7.45pm UK
The Utilita Energy Stadium
Carlisle United

Bradford
0 - 0
Carlisle


Oliver (79'), Oliver (79+79')
FT

Moxon (37'), Barclay (56'), Armer (90+5')

Preview: Bradford City vs. Carlisle United - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Tuesday's League Two clash between Bradford City and Carlisle United, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Bradford City will be looking to continue their push for League Two's automatic promotion spots when they take on Carlisle United at the University of Bradford Stadium on Tuesday night.

The visitors are also vying to finish inside the top three, currently sitting in fourth place, having picked up five more points than the hosts, who are in sixth place.


Match preview

Mark Hughes in charge of Southampton on September 17, 2018© Reuters

Bradford have been fighting at the top end of the table for the entire season, and they are comfortably inside the playoff places, sitting five points clear of eighth-placed Mansfield Town.

Finishing inside the top seven is the bare minimum manager Mark Hughes will be expecting as we approach the climax of the season, and they could still achieve automatic promotion, given that they are only six points off the top three.

The Bantams have the best away record in the league, but they have not always found it easy to deliver in front of their own fans, most recently being held to a 2-2 draw against Hartlepool United despite an Andy Cook brace.

Hughes has made his side very difficult to beat since the turn of the year, losing just two of their last 15 matches in League Two, but there have also been some frustrating games during that time.

After Saturday's draw against Hartlepool, Bradford are now on a three-game run without a win, drawing on every occasion, and what will be particularly frustrating is that each match has been very winnable, taking on sides in the bottom half of the League Two table.

Carlisle are also going strong in their promotion push, currently sitting just one point behind third-placed Northampton Town, meaning they could move into the automatic promotion places with a positive result on Tuesday night.

The Blues have been prolific in front of goal all season, netting 58 times in 36 matches, the highest amount of any team in the league, and this has been on show during their fantastic recent run.

No team has amassed more points than Paul Simpson's side over the course of the past five games, picking up 13 points, and they looked particularly impressive in a 5-2 victory away at Crawley Town.

The last time Carlisle were beaten on their travels was against Doncaster Rovers back on New Year's Day, while they have also been solid at home, although they were unable to take all three points against Stevenage last time out, being held to a 0-0 draw at Brunton Park.

Having lost just one of their last six matches against Tuesday's opponents, winning four, the Blues have a very good recent record against Bradford, which they will be hoping can continue into the match-up in midweek.

Bradford City League Two form:

Carlisle United League Two form:


Team News

Vadaine Oliver was back in the Bradford squad against Hartlepool, having missed the previous five games due to a knee injury, and he could be in line to replace Dara Costelloe at striker, partnering League Two top scorer Cook.

Matt Derbyshire and Thierry Nevers are making progress in their recovery from injury issues, but they are expected to miss out for at least another week.

As for Carlisle, Simpson could look to bring Krystian Dennis back into the side after his side failed to score at the weekend, with the striker replacing Joe Garner, who is without a goal in his last eight games.

21-year-old forward Ryan Edmondson could partner Dennis in attack, given that Omari Patrick has also failed to find the back of the net in recent weeks.

Bradford City possible starting lineup:
Lewis; Halliday, Platt, Stubbs, Ridehalgh; Gilliead, Clayton, Smallwood, Walker; Cook, Oliver

Carlisle United possible starting lineup:
Holy; Senior, Feeney, Huntington, Mellish, Armer; Moxon, Guy, McCalmont; Dennis, Edmondson


SM words green background

We say: Bradford City 1-1 Carlisle United

With both teams competing at the top end of the League Two table, it is very difficult to separate them, so we are expecting a score draw on Tuesday night.

Bradford have made a habit out of drawing games in recent times, and that record is likely to continue in a match involving two very evenly-matches sides.



For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting over 1.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Over 1.5:data


ID:509447:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect9956:
Written by
Dominic Lund

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Game History

How you voted: Bradford vs Carlisle

Bradford City
50.0%
Draw
32.4%
Carlisle United
17.6%
74
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Leeds United's Luke Ayling celebrates scoring their third goal with teammate son March 18, 2022
Read Next:
Leeds 2022-23 season preview - prediction, summer signings, star player
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Walsall19124335191640
2Port Vale2010642619736
3Crewe AlexandraCrewe199732416834
4AFC Wimbledon19103631161533
5Doncaster RoversDoncaster209652823533
6Chesterfield2087535231231
7Grimsby Town2010192730-331
8MK Dons1893630201030
9Gillingham199282016429
10Bradford CityBradford197752419528
11Notts County197752521428
12Salford City197662019127
13Cheltenham TownCheltenham207582728-126
14Bromley195952323024
15Fleetwood TownFleetwood185852423123
16BarrowBarrow196581818023
17Newport CountyNewport196582128-723
18Colchester UnitedColchester1941052322122
19Tranmere RoversTranmere195681426-1221
20Harrogate TownHarrogate2063111730-1321
21Accrington StanleyAccrington194782634-819
22Swindon TownSwindon2037102334-1116
23Morecambe2035121936-1714
24Carlisle UnitedCarlisle1935111532-1714


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!