Bradford City v Port Vale preview – any chance of festive cheer for Moore’s under pressure side?

The Vale view

Form

It’s been a poor run of form from the Valiants and the concern amongst fans was escalated after a dour goalless draw at home against struggling Carlisle. It saw the Vale leave the pitch to a chorus of boos and Darren Moore’s men badly need a good performance to get themselves out of the rut.

Fitness

Captain Ben Garrity continues to be sidelined and his influence appears to be badly missed at the moment. Kyle John suffered a training ground knock which ruled him out of the Carlisle game and he could be a doubt for this. Sam Hart is also doubtful as is George Byers whose fitness is being carefully monitored by the Valiants.

Team selection

So, what to do? In Vale’s case the constant rotation makes it really tricky to predict a starting line-up. However, after a back four for the Carlisle game it’s possible that the Valiants could switch to a back three for this game. It means either Tom Sang, Ben Heneghan or Nathan Smith coming in alongside Jesse Debrah and Connor Hall. Elsewhere, it’s really anyone’s guess but we’ve taken a stab at a predicted line-up below…

Possible line-up

Formation: 3-4-3

Starting eleven: Ripley – Sang, Debrah, Hall – Cover, Croasdale, Harper, Grant – Paton, Stockley, Curtis

Trivia: Diamond Edwards’ appearance on Saturday made him the 28th player used by Vale in the League so far this season.

Viewing guide

This game will be shown on Sky Sports+ in the UK and so Vale fans in the UK will be able to watch if they can’t attend. Viewers outside of the UK can see the game on the PVTV service.

Guide to the opposition

Club factfile

• Team: Bradford City
• League: League Two
• Manager: Graham Alexander

Trivia: Bradford are unbeaten in their last three League and Cup games at home.

Man in charge

The experienced Graham Alexander is in his sixth permanent managerial roles after spells with Fleetwood, Scunthorpe Utd, Salford City, Motherwell and MK Dons. the 53 year-old was appointed in November 2023 and has managed 28 wins from 62 games in charge.

Form

It was disappointment on Saturday as Bradford were comfortably beaten 3-0 by Notts County. The side have managed just one win in their last eight League games and so, like Vale, are not exactly in good form right now.

Squad and injuries

Injuries to Aden Baldwin, Byrne and Ciaran Kelly have left the home side short of numbers at the back. Alexander was forced into a back four at Notts County with Cheick Diabate and Jack Shepherd brought into the side. Callum Johnson is a long-term absentee

One to watch

It’s a fairly obvious one but it’s hard to look beyond striker Andy Cook who has ten goals from nineteen League appearances.

History

Former Connections

There are no current connections but in recent years there have been several players to appear for both. They include striker Kian Harratt, who had contrasting loan spells at the two sides; midfielder Callum Guy; forward Kurtis Guthrie and midfielder Will Atkinson.

Featured connection

Forward Ron Futcher earned cult status at Vale Park after he joined in 1988 following his signing from Bradford City. Futcher had joined the Bantams for £40,000 in 1987 and scored 23 times in 53 appearances. Rudge infamously gazumped Mansfield Town to Futcher’s signature and the veteran proved the ideal foil to Darren Beckford as the side romped to promotion in 1989. Futch scored 23 times in 69 games and (another Rudge masterstroke) was then sold for a £25,00 profit to Burnley.

Overall record

• Port Vale wins: 35
• Port Vale losses: 44
• Draws: 33

Trivia: Vale have only lost one of their last five meetings with Bradford

Last time we met

The two teams last met in March 2022 when it finished 2-1 to the Valiants at Valley Parade. The Vale scorers that day were Ben Garrity and striker James Wilson who made it three wins in a row for the Vale. 16,046 were in attendance to watch the action.

Fixture history

The two sides first met in 1903 when it ended in a comprehensive 5-3 win for the Valiants. The goalscorers were Tom Coxon (2), Adrian Capes (pictured, centre of the image), Tom Simpson and an own-goal. The return match was a 1-1 draw, The clubs last met during the 2021-22 with Vale unbeaten during both fixtures.

Archive

The Port Vale programme front cover for the game against Bradford City in 1971. It finished in a 1-0 win for the Valiants with Tony Lacey scoring the winner.

A clipping from an encounter in 1930:

Brief history

The club was founded in 1903 and was immediately elected into the Football League. They were promoted into the first division in 1908 and won the FA Cup final in 1911. In 1999 they reached the Premier League where they enjoyed a two year stay.

Club records

• Record appearance holder: Cyril (Ces) Podd (502)
• Record goalscorer: Bobby Campbell (143)
• Biggest win: 11-1 versus Rotherham United, 1928
• Biggest loss: 1-9 versus Colchester United, 1961

Your views

Discuss the game

Want to discuss things before, during and after the game? Our forum’s dedicated match thread is the place to be. Share your views with fellow fans…

Bradford City v Port Vale match thread

Predict the score