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

10th-placed Stockport host seventh-placed Bradford at Edgeley Park on Tuesday night, with only three points separating the teams in the League Two table, adding extra importance to the midweek clash.

Match preview

Having gained promotion from the National League last year, Stockport were expected to find life tricky in League Two, but Dave Challinor's men have exceeded expectations this season.

The Hatters have won 11 of their 24 league games this term, meaning only five sides have picked up more victories, and they also boast one of the best defensive records in the division, having conceded 23 goals.

It is worth remembering that Stockport struggled at the beginning of the campaign, winning just three of their first 13 matches, but they have turned things around since then, securing eight victories in their previous 11 outings.

Better still, Challinor's side have kept 12 clean sheets in the league this season, with only table-topping Leyton Orient achieving more shutouts in 2022-23.

After thrashing Hartlepool United 5-0 last month, the Hatters sealed successive clean-sheet victories over Crewe Alexandra and Walsall before beating Northampton Town 2-0 last time out, claiming their fourth win in five League Two matches.

Like Stockport, Bradford have won 11 of their League Two games this term, but the Bantams have suffered two defeats fewer than the Hatters, collecting three draws more in the process.

Mark Hughes's side made a flying start to the campaign, losing just three of their opening 18 matches, but they have suffered four defeats in seven league outings, picking up two wins and one draw along the way.

After recording three straight losses before the turn of the year, Bradford claimed back-to-back victories over Harrogate Town and Salford City before losing to Rochdale, with a goalless draw against AFC Wimbledon coming last time out.

The Bantams have climbed as high as fourth in the table this term, but they currently sit seventh having taken seven points from their previous seven games.

Still, thanks to their strong start to the season, the West Yorkshire outfit remain inside the playoff places, and they are only six points shy of the automatic promotion spots.

Stockport County League Two form:

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Stockport County form (all competitions):

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Bradford City League Two form:

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Team News

After making his debut in the 2-0 win against Northampton last time out, centre-back Neill Byrne should keep his place in Stockport's starting XI following his move from Tranmere Rovers.

Paddy Madden bagged eight goals and two assists in 11 league games between October and December, so the Hatters' captain will be eager to end a run of three appearances without a goal on Tuesday.

Bradford's Jamie Walker will miss Tuesday's clash due to suspension, having picked up a red card in the goalless draw with AFC Wimbledon, so top scorer Andy Cook is expected to take Walker's place in the starting XI.

Cook has netted 16 goals across all competitions this season but has not started any of the previous four league games, with new signing Matt Derbyshire likely to compete for his place in the Bradford attack.

Stockport County possible starting lineup:

Hinchliffe; Wright, Byrne, Johnson, Rydel; Collar, Croasdale, Hippolyte; Madden, Sarcevic, Wootton

Bradford City possible starting lineup:

Lewis; Halliday, Platt, Crichlow, Foulds; Costelloe, Smallwood, Gilliead; Eisa, Cook, Oliver

We say: Stockport County 2-0 Bradford City

Although Bradford sit three points clear of Stockport in the table, the Hatters will be confident of claiming all three points at Edgeley Park, given the recent downturn in Bradford's form.

Stockport have claimed four clean-sheet victories across their previous five league encounters, and they are on course to secure another shutout win on Tuesday.

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