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

Meanwhile, Rochdale make the trip to Valley Parade requiring all three points if they are to move outside of the relegation zone.

Match preview

Mark Hughes would have preferred for his Bradford City side to be participating in the FA Cup over the weekend, particularly with his team having recently gotten back on track.

Nevertheless, the rare weekend off gave Hughes and the Bantams a chance to reboot ahead of the second half of the campaign, acknowledging that they are perhaps fortunate to still be as high as fifth spot.

Back-to-back home wins over Harrogate Town and Salford City have been required to catapult the Yorkshire outfit back into contention, and they now sit just seven points adrift of third-placed Northampton Town with two matches in hand.

Although Hughes will want to remain focused on strengthening their hold of a playoff place, the top three has to be the aim, and it is a target which is achievable if they can improve on winning just five of their 12 games at Valley Parade.

Before their previous back-to-back victories, Bradford had only won four of 15 games in all competitions, something which will not be lost on Hughes as his side attempt to prevail three times in a row for the first time since the middle of September.

As far as Rochdale are concerned, they head into this encounter having emerged victorious in just one of their most recent 13 outings in all competitions.

However, having ended a five-match losing streak with draws versus Barrow and Newport County, there are reasons to be positive for Jim Bentley.

While the teams above them are threatening to move clear of Rochdale in the relegation scrap, the Dale look back on track defensively having previously conceded 10 times in just three games.

Devante Rodney has netted in two of his last three appearances, scoring his first goals since September to become the club's leading marksman in the fourth tier with five goals.

Bradford City League Two form:

W

L

L

L

W

W

Bradford City form (all competitions):

L

L

L

L

W

W

Rochdale League Two form:

L

L

L

L

D

D

Team News

While Hughes may be willing to name an unchanged Bradford side, substitutes Andy Cook and Abo Eisa needed just a minute to combine for their team's winner versus Salford.

Cook's return is more likely, the club's top goalscorer having 13 strikes this campaign, but Tyreik Wright has been a constant threat in each of the last two fixtures.

Matt Derbyshire could take a place on the substitutes' bench due to officially becoming a Bradford player on January 9, more than a week after his transfer was announced.

Unless he opts to freshen up his side due to the three-day turnaround, Rochdale should line up with an unchanged starting lineup.

Having come through at least 75 minutes in quick succession on his comeback from injury, Liam Kelly may drop down to the substitutes' bench, with Abraham Odoh a natural replacement on the right flank.

Bradford City possible starting lineup:

Lewis; Halliday, Platt, Crichlow, Foulds; Sutton, Smallwood, Gilliead; Chapman; Wright, Oliver

Rochdale possible starting lineup:

O'Donnell; Seriki, Graham, Ebanks-Landell, White; Keohane, Ball; Odoh, Rodney, Lloyd; Quigley

We say: Bradford City 2-1 Rochdale

On different levels, both sides have improved in recent matches to boost their chances of achieving their respective goals this campaign. However, home advantage should prove key for the Bantams, who we are backing to edge an entertaining contest by the odd goal in three.

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