The Voice - Match preview Bradford City vs Newport County Saturday 13 August @ 3:00pm

League Two Fixture #3

Saturday 13 August 15:00
Bradford City vs Newport County
Valley Parade

Most Recent Results:

1: Bradford City 0 – 0 Doncaster
2: Barrow 3 – 2 Bradford City

1: Sutton United 1 – 1 Newport County
2: Newport County 0 – 1 Walsall

Head-to-Head Results:

Head-to-Head Form: DDLLL

22 Feb 2020: Newport County (Inniss 28, Bennett 33) 2 – 1 (Donaldson 26) Bradford City [League Two]
24 Oct 2020: Bradford City 0 – 3 (Demetriou 1, Amond 44, Dolan 90+3 (P)) Newport County [League Two]
09 Mar 2021: Newport County (Dolan 77, 90+6 (P)) 2 – 1 (Cook 46) Bradford City [League Two]
09 Oct 2021: Newport County 0 – 0 Bradford City [League Two]
26 Mar 2022: Bradford City 0 – 0 Newport County [League Two]

Head-to-Head Results (All Time):

Won: 20
Drawn: 8
Lost: 18

Biggest Margin of Victory:

23 Jan 1960: Bradford City 6 – 2 Newport County

Spoiler: Historic Results Analysis

Bradford City first played Newport County as recently as 1958, and have historically struggled in away fixtures; at Valley Parade, though, City sport an impressive record of 15 wins, 2 draws, 6 defeats. In more recent times, however, Newport County have had the upper hand on City, picking up 3 wins, 2 draws and just 1 defeat since a 34-year gap in corresponding fixtures ended in 2019.

Bradford City have scored just 3 goals against Newport in the last 6 encounters, conceding 7 – although both of last season's fixtures ended 0-0.

Newport County 2021/22:

An 11th place finish for Newport County, with 19 wins, 12 draws, 15 defeats. This came as a disappointment to Newport County following a 5th place finish in the 2020/21 season. The Welsh team contending with the early resignation of Michael Flynn as manager, who handed in his notice just 9 games into the season having won just 3 games. Flynn cited a 'cowardly' display following a 2-1 defeat against Barrow before resigning.

Newport County appointed Wayne Hatswell as interim manager, before rewarding James Rowberry with his first permanent appointment on October 19 2021. Since then, Rowberry has achieved 15 wins, 8 draws, 14 defeats from 37 games, representing a 40.54 win percentage.

James Rowberry may not be a familiar name to City fans. The Welshman is Newport born and bred, and is just 37 years old. At the age of 29 Rowberry gained his UEFA Pro License, becoming one of the youngest coaches to achieve such a prestigious award. Rowberry enjoyed a youth career with both Bristol City and Newport County, having never had a senior professional footballing career. Rowberry's appointment fulfilled a life long ambition for James, who was a mascot for his hometown club at the age of 5.



Newport County 2022/23:

Newport County, like City, have failed to win either of their opening two fixtures. Having drawn away at Sutton United, Newport slumped to defeat against former manager Michael Flynn's Walsall, despite the Black Country side failing to register a single shot on target.

The game with Walsall saw Newport have a goal from Aaron Wildig chalked off for offside, a header cleared off the line, and be credited with an own goal as Mickey Demetriou appeared to bundle home a Walsall corner in chaotic fashion.

Newport County's long throw tactics and danger from aerial threat from set pieces and the wings saw them come close to an equaliser several times, but ultimately fail to score.

Their season opener at Sutton United also saw ample opportunities created, but again Walsall failed to display a cutting edge in front of goal. Having gone behind to an Omar Bugiel opener, Omar Bogle would open his account for the season with a header direct from a long throw, securing a point apiece.

Spoiler: Newport County Statistics

Omar Bogle caused no end of problems for Sutton United in the season's opener, registering 4 shots on goal (and scoring 1). Former City player Matt Dolan was the key tackler in the Newport midfield, while defender Scot Bennett proved the most competitive in terms of 50-50's and ball steals. Despite enjoying 48 % possession, Newport's pass completion statistics were largely poor, with only Dolan, Wildig, Bogle and Bennett managing anything higher than 60 % completion.

The story was more promising in the home defeat against Walsall, with Newport enjoying 61 % possession, and enjoying the lion's share of chances (9 shots on goal to 3) – but again, Newport were wasteful.

In the past 2 games alone, Newport won 15 corners, and their propensity for long throws ensures a steady aerial barrage on the opposition goal. With several players over 6 feet tall, including Bogle, Zanzala and Norman, Newport are geared to testing out the defensive capabilities of their opponent's.

Bradford City 2022/23:

Bradford City will be very disappointed not to have registered a goal against Doncaster Rovers, or a point against Barrow. Despite Doncaster going down to 10 men for the majority of the game at Valley Parade, City wasted several opportunities to seal the win with both Richie Smallwood and Vadaine Oliver registering 3 shots on goal. Matthew Platt and Jamie Walker registed 2 a piece.

Against Barrow, Bradford City looked to have stolen a point when they equalised in the 95th minute, only for Barrow to quickly hit back and grab the win. This time, the substitute pairing of Andy Cook and Jake Young proved more of a threat than their counterparts Vadaine Oliver and Lee Angol, both not only notching up more efforts on goal, but also with each scoring.

Once again Romoney Crichlow dominated the statistics for Bradford City, as he had done against Doncaster Rovers, making the most tackles won, most ball steals, most total passes, and most completed passes. Against, Bradford City enjoyed the lion's share of possession, and achieved significantly higher passing statistics, however on this occasion City were second best in terms of shots on goal.

Back at Valley Parade, Mark Hughes will no doubt hope his sides dominance in terms of passing and possession will pose more of a threat to Newport County. It remains to be seen how Hughes deals with the forward situation, with both Cook and Young opening their accounts without having started a league game.

Outlook:

With just 1 point each, both Bradford City and Newport County will look to register their first win of the season.

Statistically, neither side have performed particularly poorly, indicating that both have failed to find their rhythm. With Bradford City having largely overhauled their squad, Newport County have brought in the likes of Bogle, Zanzala, Wildig, Evans, Bowen and Drysdale; all of whom have started both league games so far. Consistency is being enjoyed, however, through the likes of Dolan, Demetriou, Bennett, Norman, and Townsend, all long-term Newport County players. Newport County have made zero changes to their starting line up.

Conversely, Bradford City had to make 2 changes to the first team that travelled to Barrow, with Osadebe and Walker both facing (potentially in Walker's case) significant spells on the sidelines. Of the 9 that have started both league games, only Lee Angol and Liam Ridehalgh were here last season.

Bradford City will once again look to establish dominance in terms of passing and possession, but will need to be at their defensive best against a team that enjoys making the most of set pieces and long throws, but that still retains a threat from talented midfielders such as Dolan and Wildig. The battering ram forward pair of Bogle and Zanzala will test Crichlow and Platt's physical capabilities, while the battle between Smallwood and the more creative Dolan could be critical in the middle of the park.

Odds:
13/10 – Bradford City
12/5 – Draw
21/10 – Newport County

Predicted Outcome (Sportsmole):

Bradford City 0 - 1 Newport County