The Voice - Match preview #8: Bradford City vs Huddersfield Town Saturday 13th September 12:30pm

EFL League One Fixture #8
Saturday 13th September 2025 12:30
Bradford City (5th) vs Huddersfield Town (3rd)
University of Bradford Stadium

Record:
Games Won: 14
Games Drawn: 17
Games Lost: 21

Last 5:
07 Oct 2006: Bradford City 0 – 1 Huddersfield Town
10 Mar 2007: Huddersfield Town 2 – 0 Bradford City
12 Aug 2008: Huddersfield Town 4 – 0 Bradford City [EFL Cup]
04 Oct 2011: Huddersfield Town 2 – 2 Bradford City [EFL Trophy]
06 Aug 2013: Huddersfield Town 2 – 1 Bradford City [EFL Cup]

Huddersfield Town:
Huddersfield Town sit in 3rd place in the League One table, and like Bradford City their current high standing is based primarily on their excellent home form. The only side in League One to have played – and won – four times at home, manager Lee Grant has made the Accu Stadium another veritable fortress. But, also like Bradford City, Huddersfield Town haven’t been nearly as good away from home, a long-established trend that dates back to the 24/25 season when Town capitulated in the second half of the season, winding up losing all their final 6 away games (although, in truth, the capitulation also occurred on home soil!).

While Huddersfield Town did bring that dire run to an end with a 2-0 away win at Reading in their first away outing, their issues on the road returned the very next away date when 10-men Blackpool beat them 3-2 despite having two-goal hero Niall Ennis sent off after just 36 minutes. Despite having almost all the play thereafter, the Terriers couldn’t find a way in, and created a minimal number of chances given the circumstances. They followed that up with a 3-1 away defeat at Barnsley, though this time it was Town who were reduced to 10 men in the first half when goalkeeper Owen Goodman was dismissed after just 36 minutes. This time, though, Barnsley were able to capitalize and punish Grant’s side, who have since made it up to their fans somewhat with a 6-2 EFL Trophy win over Newcastle United U21’s and a 3-2 home win over Peterborough United.

Another similarity, then, between Huddersfield Town and Saturday’s opponents Bradford City is a less-than-stellar back line. What’s more, Town have lost Jack Whatmough to a calf injury, Lee Grant having ruled him out in an interview with the Yorkshire Post. With Goodman also suspended between the sticks, veterans Lee Nicholls (GK) and Murray Wallace (CD), both 32, may be asked to deputise. They will have to be at their very best to keep out red hot hitman Will Swan, who has now netted 6 goals in just 4 starts and 5 substitute appearances in all competitions, and who may have wrestled the initiative away from Stephen Humphrys for the time being.

Defenders Joe Low, Lynden Gooch and Sean Roughan should all be fit, as will experienced central midfield duo Herbie Kane and Ryan Ledson, while the pressure will be on the attacking quartet of Marcus Harness, Ruben Roosken, Ben Wiles and Alfie May to make things happen at one of the toughest grounds to visit in League One – though 22 year old Welshman Joe Taylor has recently hit form with 4 goals in his last 3 appearances, and started the last game after May picked up a knock on his foot in the first half in the defeat at Barnsley. It was Taylor’s late third against strugglers Peterborough United that kept the Terriers’ home slate perfectly clean and pushed Huddersfield Town into 3rd place in spite of an even later consolation scored by Posh midfielder Cian Hayes.

Certainly one narrative that might play on the minds of Town fans will be that of goalless newcomer Marcus Harness, undoubtedly a quality winger, but one who has yet to open his Town account after a relatively dry spell in front of goal for Derby County. Dutchman Roosken, likewise, has rarely contributed goals from the opposite wing, perhaps indicating an over-reliance of goals from central positions this season. Bradford City will need to get it right on the day in the centre of the park, with Town overloading that particular area with goal threats.

Huddersfield Town 3 – 2 Peterborough United


Barnsley 3 – 1 Huddersfield Town


Bradford City:
Bradford City lost the battle of the counter attacking highflyers against Doncaster Rovers, perhaps partially explained by the fact City ended up with most of the ball and most of the possession. Neither side has looked comfortable with majority possession so far this season, so it should perhaps come as no surprise that the battle of two of the most efficient outfits in League One was won by the side who played over 100 fewer passes and just 42 % of play.

Joe Wright in particular had a nightmare for City both on and off the ball, former City winger Jordan Gibson stripping him for pace (although Aden Baldwin should be commended for his covering tackle) as he created the first for the late-arriving Lee Molyneux, before he embarrassed the City centre back a second time, making the most of his awful touch and slip before slotting home Doncaster’s second. Will Swan had had time to grab an equaliser between those two strikes, but the Bantams just weren’t at the races. A combination of mistakes from Aden Baldwin and Tommy Leigh allowed the ageless Billy Sharp to curl the ball past both Wright and goalkeeper Sam Walker for a game-ending third just before half time, and that was that.

Having to do the chasing is not a City speciality it seems, as the second half saw Bradford City test goalkeeper Thimothee Lo-Tutala ZERO times. The Doncaster Rovers backline was every bit as formidable as had been suggested in last week’s article, the club having conceded just 5 goals across 7 league games. That City managed even 1 was better than the average so far. Bradford City’s defence, meanwhile, looked shambolic at times, and their own record of 9 conceded in 7 looks some way off their current 5th placed position. Goals haven’t been such an issue going the other way, but that back line did manager Graham Alexander no favours in the first of two high profile Yorkshire derbies.

Still, Bradford City are a force to be reckoned with at Valley Parade, and their 100 % record so far this season carries on from last season’s heroics. Even though highly fancied Huddersfield Town might look stronger than City on paper, magic can – and has – happened on the hallowed turf of BD8, especially in front of a packed and raucous City crowd. Graham Alexander will have some decisions to make, too, with the potential for Andy Cook, Lewis Richards and Matthew Pennington to feature after injuries. The three, along with new signing Tom McIntyre all played behind closed doors on Tuesday, and the option to ring the changes will be there after City’s first defeat of the new campaign.

It will be interesting to see how Graham chooses to set his side up against a side with a mediocre away record – but who will look to pile on the misery after the Bantams’ first genuinely poor outing.

Doncaster Rovers 3 – 1 Bradford City


AFC Wimbledon 2 – 3 Bradford City

 

Prediction:
Bradford City must seek to stamp their authority on this fixture from the off. A tasty local derby that hasn’t played out in the league since 2007, it is to Bradford City’s credit that they have finally clawed their way back to respective relevance. As with any high-pressure local derby between 2 in-form sides, expect big tackles, a lot of tension, and a huge amount of pride and passion both on the terraces and on the pitch. A game dubbed the ‘Battle of West Yorkshire’ by the media team at City, this is perhaps biggest league fixture in close to 2 decades as far as bragging rights go, especially for the Bantams.

There will be chances… neither side has been particularly impressive at this back this campaign, while both have been averaging well over a goal-a-game at the other end. Both sides’ style of play should suit the other given both can counter attack, though Town in particular have been known to play a more methodical, build-up-from-the-back style when allowed to play. City, meanwhile, have relied much more on a high-pressure approach off the ball, as well as consistently good wide play from wing backs Touray and Neufville, and efficient use of the ball from the likes of Will Swan up front.

With the way both sides’ results have gone, Bradford City’s home advantage alone might make them favourites in what could be a high-scoring affair – but Town have proven quality in their ranks with bags of League One experience (in some cases, even higher). Defensive lapses will be punished, and might just be plentiful given the inevitable febrile atmosphere. Whoever adapts quickest to the conditions – and the associated fervour – might just establish an early lead. Players like Bobby Pointon and Will Swan are perhaps most likely to flourish for City in such conditions, though Max Power’s street smarts in the centre will be equally invaluable. He will have his hands full with the likes of Herbie Kane, however, and whoever starts between Alfie May and Joe Taylor will prove an immense handful for a shaky (and potentially even new-look) City backline. Ben Wiles will be the key creative force, while the wings manned by Harness and Roosken will also see plenty of the ball if all goes to form.

One potential x-factor could come in the form of Andy Cook. The talismanic forward netted 2 goals in his cameo against Grimsby Town, and if he is afforded as few as 15 minutes, he has the ability to inflict damage if given even the merest sniff of a chance. Whether that will happen or not is sheer conjecture, but the truth is Cook has the potential to lift the atmosphere at Valley Parade even if his introduction comes with City behind. City fans will do well to keep an eye on the line up when it is announced at 11:30 am this Saturday, and if his name is on the bench, all bets may be off.

The pick will be a scintillating 3-2 win for the Bantams that will see an equal mix of quality and chaos, with the potential for a red card for any player unable to keep their head at the site of a rowdy BD8 crowd. Graham Alexander will want his men to banish the memories of last weekend’s disappointing 3-1 defeat at Doncaster Rovers, and I would expect City to come out all guns’ blazing. Town may find it rough going early as their away day struggles continue intitially – but expect them to have a significant say on proceedings, nonetheless.

Final Score:
Bradford City 3 – 2 Huddersfield Town