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

The hosts come into this one unbeaten in two matches, while visitors Northampton travel to Yorkshire fresh from a victory away at Gillingham last weekend.

Match preview

Bradford have enjoyed a major resurgence in 2022-23 and find themselves fourth in League Two under Mark Hughes on 33 points from 18 matches played.

The Bantams have built their success this campaign on solid defensive displays, conceding just 14 goals, which is the second-fewest number of efforts shipped in the entire league.

Last time out, goals from Andy Cook and Scott Banks guided Bradford to a comfortable 2-0 victory away to Sutton United at the VBS Community Stadium last Saturday.

Nevertheless, Bradford will hope to take a step to improve their home form this weekend against Northampton, as the Yorkshire side have won just three times from nine attempts at the University of Bradford Stadium in 2022-23.

With a victory in their next game, Bradford could leapfrog promotion rivals Northampton into third and move into the automatic promotion places.

Northampton have also made a sparkling start to the 2022-23 campaign and sit one place above Bradford City in third with 35 points accumulated from 18 matches.

Jon Brady has his side playing some great attacking football this campaign, with the Cobblers scoring 31 goals in League Two, which has made them the highest scorers in the division.

In particular, Northampton striker Sam Hoskins has been crucial to their promotion push, with his 13 goals so far putting him at the top of the League Two scoring charts.

In their last outing, Northampton prevailed with a 2-0 win away to Gillingham courtesy of strikes from Sam Hoskins and Kieron Bowie to maintain their positive league form.

On Saturday, manager Brady will be desperate for his side to claim another three points, which would put some distance between Northampton and the chasing pack for the automatic promotion slots.

Bradford City League Two form:

W

D

D

D

W

W

Bradford City form (all competitions):

D

D

D

L

W

W

Northampton Town League Two form:

L

D

W

D

D

W

Northampton Town form (all competitions):

L

W

D

D

L

W

Team News

Bradford will be without attacker Jamie Walker for the visit of Northampton on Saturday due to a knee injury, signifying that Abo Eisa is likely to continue on the flank.

Forward Lee Angol and winger Scott Banks are at risk of suspension for the hosts if they pick up a booking during the match. Andy Cook is in line for another start following his goal at Sutton United last weekend.

For the visitors, star striker Sam Hoskins will not be available for the tie away to Bradford City owing to picking up a suspension due to picking up his fifth yellow card of the campaign last week.

Kieron Bowie may also not be available for the match as he is away on international duty with the Scotland Under-21 side, while defender Jon Guthrie risks picking up a suspension if he is booked during proceedings.

Bradford City possible starting lineup:

Lewis; Halliday, Songo'o, Crichlow, Foulds; Gilliead, Smallwood; Banks, Chapman, Eisa; Cook

Northampton Town possible starting lineup:

Burge; McGowan, Sherring, Guthrie, Odimayo; Sowerby; Pinnock, McWilliams, Fox, Appere; Hoskins

We say: Bradford City 2-2 Northampton Town

In a match with severe permutations at the top of League Two, we expect both sides to put on an entertaining encounter that will produce plenty of opportunities in front of goal.

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