Preview: Bradford City vs. Harrogate Town - prediction, team news, lineups

Under the leadership of veteran managerial figure Mark Hughes, The Bantams sit only two points outside of the heavily-contested League Two playoff positions.

Meanwhile, Simon Weaver's improving Sulphurites have moved seven points above the National League trapdoor.

Match preview

After registering back-to-back league victories against Mansfield Town (2-1) on November 8 and Sutton United (2-0) four days later, Bradford City have now lost four successive matches across all competitions.

Hughes's side's downfall began on November 19, suffering a 3-1 defeat to automatic promotion candidates Northampton Town, shortly followed three days later by a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Salford City.

Bradford's recent poor patch of form showed no signs of letting up at the beginning of the month when the West Yorkshire-based outfit suffered a one-sided 3-0 defeat to current league leaders Leyton Orient.

Hoping to witness a change in his side's fortunes, Hughes was left to ponder what could have been on the 106-mile journey back to Bradford, as Paul Huntington's first-half goal proved enough for Carlisle to register a 1-0 victory on Monday.

The only salvation for the confidence within the Bantams' dressing room not dropping dangerously further has been the sight of the arctic-esque December temperatures that have accounted for postponements in Bradford's last two league matches - with Gillingham on December 11 and against Rochdale six days later.

In contrast, Harrogate Town have now been victorious in a hat-trick of matches across the fourth tier of English football, which has seen Weaver's side distance themselves from a return to the National League.

​​The Sulphurites' recent revival began with a convincing 3-0 victory over Mansfield Town on November 19, courtesy of a brace from top-scorer Luke Armstrong.

The win over Nigel Clough's playoff candidates was followed up two weeks later with a convincing 4-1 win over Rochdale at the Crown Oil Arena.

Harrogate fortuitously continued their upturn in fortune on Boxing Day, as Grimsby Town goalkeeper Max Crocombe scored a dramatic own goal in the 91st minute that subsequently secured a dramatic 3-2 home victory for The Sulphurites.

Harrogate Town have enjoyed a significant share of bragging rights in the historical head-to-heads between the two sides, with The Sulphurites victorious in six of the last seven meetings.

Weaver's side's most recent success came on November 5 when a ninth-minute strike from on-loan Huddersfield Town midfielder Matty Daly was enough to see the visitors progress into the second round of the FA Cup.

Bradford City League Two form:

D

D

W

W

L

L

Bradford City form (all competitions):

L

W

W

L

L

L

Harrogate Town League Two form:

L

L

D

L

W

W

Harrogate Town form (all competitions):

W

D

L

W

L

W

Team News

Hoping to avoid a fifth successive defeat across all competitions, Mark Hughes could recall on-loan Crystal Palace midfielder Scott Banks and striker Vadaine Oliver to the Bradford starting XI.

Only Sam Hoskins has found the back of the net more often than Andy Cook in League Two this season, with the 13-goal Bradford striker expected to lead the line once again.

In the wake of three much-needed victories, Harrogate Town could line up with the same 11 that celebrated a last-gasp win over Grimsby Town.

On the back of netting six goals in his last three league matches, Luke Armstrong will once again spearhead the Sulphurites' attack ahead of an attacking trio of George Thomson, Josh Coley and Sam Folarin.

After missing the last four matches, highly sought-after midfielder Alex Pattison could return to Simon Weaver's squad for the game at The University of Bradford Stadium.

Bradford City possible starting lineup:

Lewis; Halliday, Platt, Odusina, Foulds; Smallwood, Gilliead, Walker, Banks, Wright; Cook

Harrogate Town possible starting lineup:

Jameson; Ramsay, Ferguson, Burrell, Headley; Falkingham, Frost, Thomson, Coley, Folarin; Armstrong

We say: Bradford City 3-2 Harrogate Town

Despite a decline in their form at the wrong time, Bradford City can still rely on the attacking exploits of the second-leading goalscorer in League Two this season in the form of Andy Cook.

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