Port Vale v Bradford City preview
Port Vale v Bradford City preview: can the Valiants make it nine unbeaten when they face Bradford City at Vale Park.
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DISCUSS THIS GAME ON THE DEDICATED FORUM THREADMatch details:
Teams: Port Vale v Bradford City
Competition: League Two
Venue: Vale Park Stadium
Kick-off: Saturday 24th April, 3pm
Form guide:
The Valiants made it eight games unbeaten with their midweek win over Barrow and now have a chance to leapfrog Bradford. Vale’s opponents are not in great shape after three straight losses. If you think the Valiants can win and leapfrog Bradford you may be interested in picking up a bet365 bonus code before you place a bet. Please remember to bet responsibly.
Port Vale team news:
Despite making three changes, Port Vale proved too strong for Barrow in midweek and there could be further changes for this game. However, it’s near certain that captain Tom Conlon, in superb form recently, will play a part. The Vale skipper is now one goal off reaching double figures. It will be interesting to see if Darrell Clarke pitches Kurtis Guthrie against his former club while the likes of Tom Pope, Harry McKirdy, David Amoo and Danny Whitehead may also come into contention.
Possible Starting XI:
Brown – Smith, Legge, Brisley – Montano, Joyce, Conlon, Burgess, Worrall – Guthrie, Cullen
One to watch:
It will be fascinating to see if Kurtis Guthrie plays against his former club. The striker has been short of goals since joining Vale but he’s not been lacking in effort. Guthrie would certainly have a point to prove against his former side.
Opposition manager:
Duo Mark Trueman and Conor Sellars have been in joint charge since the departure of Stuart McCall earlier this season. The duo have a 50% win ratio so far after being in charge for 26 games.
Opposition team:
Bradford won’t have striker Danny Rowe in their ranks after the forward secured a shock transfer to National League Chesterfield (where he will line-up with former Valiant Manny Oyeleke). However, as Rowe departs, fellow veteran Lee Novak could make his City comeback. The striker has not featured at all in 2021 after suffering a knee injury in training. His last appearance was ironically in the goalless initial fixture against Vale at Valley Parade on December 29.
Connections:
The Valiants could well come up against former keeper Sam Hornby who has been in goal during recent Bradford City games. Hornby left Vale Park in 2019 after turning down a new contract. He’s only made seventeen appearances for City since 2019 but eleven of them have been this season.
In the Vale ranks, the aforementioned Kurtis Guthrie could play against a club where he made thirteen appearances without scoring. Striker Mark Cullen also had a brief loan spell with Bradford City back in 2011. He made four appearances without scoring.
Other players to appear for both sides in recent years include Jak Alnwick, Will Atkinson, Alex Jones and Callum Guy.
Last time we met:
The two sides played out a 0-0 draw at Valley Parade back in December. The last game at Vale Park took place in 2016 when the Valiants lost 2-1. JJ Hooper scored Vale’s consolation goal. Vale haven’t won at home against Bradford since 2013 a run of three matches. The Valiants’ overall record against Bradford is 33 wins, 44 losses and 32 draws.