Bradfordvs.Newport

The Bantams are relying on other results going their way this weekend, but they must win their match to give themselves a fighting chance.

Match preview

Graham Alexander has led a complete turnaround in West Yorkshire in the final months of the season, to the point where Bradford now have a legitimate chance of earning a playoff position for the second season in a row.

The Bantams currently sit in ninth place, but with just two points between them and Barrow, they could sneak in at the last minute.

Bradford defeated the Bluebirds in midweek courtesy of a 90th-minute winner from Tyler Smith to ensure they would at least have something to fight for on the last day of the season.

The Bantams will require Crawley to lose or draw and Barrow to be defeated if they stand any chance of taking one of the playoff spots, but Alexander's men will focus on their match.

The hosts must defeat Newport on Saturday, but after winning four consecutive games and heading into this one, the squad has plenty of belief.

The visitors' seven-match losing streak will only increase the Bradford fans' belief, but Newport will attempt to turn that around to give their own supporters something to cheer about on the final day of the season.

It has been a tough run-in for the Exiles, which has led to them slipping down the table into the bottom half. While they cannot climb back into the top 12, a victory on Saturday could see them jump two places, depending on other results.

With Newport currently in 17th place, Graham Coughlan's men will want to take advantage of the chance to improve.

Of course, due to their recent performances, it will require a major effort to achieve that, and a lack of attacking output has been a big factor in that.

Four of Newport's past seven games have seen the team fail to score a goal, instantly putting extra pressure on the defenders, and that is an area that the Exiles will look to focus on this weekend.

Bradford City League Two form:

W

D

W

W

W

W

Newport County League Two form:

L

L

L

L

L

L

Team News

Jamie Walker will again be available for Bradford after serving his suspension, but it remains to be seen whether Alexander will tamper with a winning team to accommodate him.

Alex Gillead returned against Barrow after a six-game absence due to injury, and the experienced midfielder could retain his place.

Scot Bennett was brought back into the Newport team during their 1-0 loss against Salford City after overcoming a knock, while Matthew Bondswell was also put into the starting lineup as a tactical change.

Nelson Sanca managed to keep his place in the starting lineup after an impressive individual performance in the previous match, and he should wrap up the season with another outing.

Bradford City possible starting lineup:

Walker; Oyegoke, Platt, Kelly; Halliday, Gillead, Smallwood, Wright; Kavanagh, Pointon; Cook

Newport County possible starting lineup:

Townsend; Baker, Sanca, Jameson; Bright, Morris, Bennett, Bondswell; Bogle; Jephcott, Evans

We say: Bradford City 2-0 Newport County

All the pressure is on Bradford in this particular fixture, but considering they could earn a playoff position that is something they are likely to relish.

With Newport being on a dreadful run of form there should be no shortage of confidence for the Bantams, who will expect to take all three points.

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