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

Meanwhile, the visitors have more modest ambitions, currently sitting in 21st place, and aiming to put some distance between themselves and the relegation zone.

Match preview

Bradford have made a steady start in their bid to get promoted back to the third tier this season, occupying the last playoff position, in seventh place after acquiring a solid 33 points from their opening 20 games.

As we approach the halfway stage of the season, however, the Bantams will want to start consolidating their position as real contenders, and they could launch an attack on the top three if they put together a decent run of form.

Mark Hughes' side are only trailing third-placed Northampton Town by six points, so the top three is well within their reach, as long as they start to turn around their recent poor run of results.

In their last three matches in all competitions, Bradford have fallen to defeats, most recently on the receiving end of a 3-0 loss at Leyton Orient, although the O's are the league leaders, and are formidable at the Breyer Group Stadium.

In their last 12 meetings with Rochdale, the Bantams have only lost on two occasions, so recent history is on their side, and Hughes will be hoping Saturday's meeting can be a real turning point for his team.

Rochdale endured a very difficult start to the League Two season, so much so that they were the first team in the division to sack their manager, with Robbie Stockdale losing his job after his side suffered four defeats in their opening four games.

New manager Jim Bentley has managed to instigate a change in fortunes for the Dale, and they went on a good run of winning four games in five from the end of September until the middle of October, clawing their way out of the relegation zone.

Since then, however, form has dipped considerably, and the club from Greater Manchester have only won one of their last nine matches in all competitions, with scoring goals proving to be a real issue.

Only bottom side Gillingham have scored less goals than Rochdale this season, with Bentley's side managing just 14 in their 20 outings, and a total of three in their last seven.

Last time out, the Dale lost 4-1 at home to Harrogate Town, a result made worse by the fact that the visitors are also struggling, sitting just one place above them in the table, but looked superior in every department.

Bradford City League Two form:

D

D

W

W

L

L

Bradford City form (all competitions):

L

W

W

L

L

L

Rochdale League Two form:

D

L

W

L

L

L

Rochdale form (all competitions):

L

L

W

L

L

L

Team News

Emmanuel Osadebe is a long-term absentee who will still be missing for Bradford, having suffered a double leg break in the opening match of the League Two season.

Jamie Walker has now recovered from a knee injury and has featured as a substitute in the Bantams' midfield in the last two matches, so could come into the starting lineup ahead of Harry Chapman.

Andy Cook is the league's joint-top scorer, with 13 to his name this season, and he is once again expected to lead the line, having featured in all 20 matches this term.

Defender Aidan White is now close to a return from an ankle injury, and he could return to the Rochdale squad for the first time since the start of October on Saturday.

Striker Tahvon Campbell is still missing due to a foot issue, so Scott Quigley is instead the likely choice, while Liam Kelly will also remain on the treatment table, having missed the last four matches.

Bradford City possible starting lineup:

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

Rochdale possible starting lineup:

O'Donnell; Keohane, Graham, Ebanks-Landell, John; Brierley, Diagouraga, Henderson, Ball, Odoh; Quigley

We say: Bradford City 2-0 Rochdale

Bradford have a great opportunity to get back to winning ways against a struggling League Two side, and they should have too much attacking firepower for Rochdale to handle.

The Dale have struggled to score goals in recent weeks, and there are no signs that they will be able to do so against one of the division's better sides.

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