The Peninsula Stadium will host Salford City and Bradford City in a battle of the underachievers. Both teams are underperforming in League Two and the gap to the promotion places is widening.
Salford are currently 11th in League Two while Bradford are 16th — just three points separate the teams.
Two Inconsistent Sides Meet as Salford City Host Bradford City
Salford Boss Richie Wellens Has Been in Charge for Just a Short Period
Richie Wellens, a former Manchester United youth player, took charge of Salford on November 4. Wellens has had little chance to turn around Salford’s fortunes but this could all change. Wellens achieved promotion with Swindon Town last season, being crowned Champions of League Two in the process.
Speaking to the Salford City website, Ammie’s boss Wellens spoke of the importance of the tie:
“When you have a performance like the first half against Bolton, which is not ideal, what you want is you want a reaction from the players, and the first reaction that they can have is come in on Monday morning and train properly”
Salford have some talented players amongst their ranks, however, the Ammies are struggling with injuries. Ashley Hunter, who scored twice against Bradford City in the last tie, will likely feature. Additionally, former top-flight midfielder George Boyd could feature.
Salford will be without James Wilson, who joins Darron Gibson on the sidelines with injury, while Richie Towell also remains unavailable.
Bradford City Are Struggling to Find Consistency
Bradford City manager Stuart McCall is confident that his team can still make something of the season, even after their atrocious start. Tipped as promotion contenders, the Bantam’s performances have been woefully short of expectations.
Kenny Black, McCall’s assistant manager, wants the Bantams to go out and hurt Salford City. Speaking to the Bradford City website, Black said:
“We know we have areas within our squad which can hurt Salford. We know of their threats as well and so it should make for another good game.”
Bradford will be without forwards Lee Novak and Kurtis Guthrie. Midfielder Callum Cooke is unlikely to feature after picking up a knock in his last outing.
Last Time Out
The teams last met in March 2020. The game was tightly contested but clinical finishing from Salford, and some dreadful defending from Bradford, proved to be the difference. Both goals came from Ashley Hunter and both were hit from long range. Salford took the three points in what was the final game of the season for both teams as COVID-19 forced an early cessation of the 2019/2020 season.
Main Photo
