The Voice - Match preview Bradford City vs Stockport County Friday 29th December @ 7:45pm

EFL LEAGUE TWO FIXTURE #24

Friday 29th December 19:45
Bradford City (10th) vs Stockport County (1st)
University of Bradford Stadium (AKA Valley Parade)

23/24 Result:

15 Aug 2023: Stockport County 1 – 1 Bradford City

Head-to-Head Form: DDLWD (most recent result first)

Won: 36
Drawn: 29
Lost: 50

Current League Form:

Bradford City: DWWWW
Stockport County: DWWDD

STOCKPORT COUNTY

Dave Challinor’s Stockport County didn’t get off the best start this season, winning just 1 of their first 6 league games, as well as getting dumped out of the EFL Cup by Sheffield Wednesday and failing to win their first EFL Trophy fixture against Manchester United U21’s. If Challinor felt the pressure, though, 13 (thirteen!) straight wins in both league and cup that was only ended by a 2-0 defeat to Bolton Wanderers in the EFL Trophy. Even so, Stockport County continued their winning run of league results, making it 12 straight wins before a 2-1 defeat on the road at Newport County snapped their remaining hot streak!

Had Stockport County made it 13 league wins in a row, they would have set a fourth-tier record and tied the 1991/92 feat of Newcastle United in terms of an EFL record. As it was, Stockport County had to settle for ‘just’ a dozen straight wins, and a spot at the top of the League Two table. This astonishing feat has The Hatters living up to their preseason billing as title contenders, but curiously Stockport’s subsequent results have been more akin to their early season form than a continuation of that immense run of form.

A pair of FA Cup ties against Aldershot saw them losing a replay against non-league opposition 1-0, and County embarked on a 6-game winless run. As well as Aldershot Town and Newport County, Salford City and Morecambe both frustrated The Hatters in league competition, while Wigan Athletic brought their EFL Trophy ambitions to an end with a 2-0 home win. That most recent 6-game unwanted streak was brought to an end in dramatic fashion courtesy of an 8-0 demolition of League Two whipping boys Sutton United, followed by a crucial win over promotion rivals Notts County. A table-topping clash with Barrow this past Boxing Day resulted in a 2-2 draw, with Stockport County having to show real steel to come from 2-0 down to snatch a point.

They now had to in-form Bradford City, who have enjoyed one of their best winning runs in years, though it amounted to a comparatively low 6-game run, ended by a 2-2 draw at home to Morecambe. Whether Bradford City now embark on a winless run as Stockport County did remains to be seen, and while this might feel like a good time to play Stockport several weeks removed from their red hot form, 7 points from the last 3 games is nothing to sniff at.

Stockport County will, then, head to Valley Parade with renewed confidence. Even following their mini-wobble from late November through to early December, the Hatters remain top of the table, a full 4 points clear of rivals Wrexham, and the division’s top goalscorers with 53 goals from 24 league fixtures. All in all, the first half of the season has been a tremendous success, and yet it hasn’t always been plain sailing for the Hatters.

While they are statistically the best ‘home’ side in the division, they are ‘only’ the third best ‘away’ side, winning 6 of their 11 away trips, drawing another 2, and losing 3. Their goal difference, too, is worse on the road. While Stockport County boast a remarkable +22 at Edgeley Park (30 scored, 8 conceded), away from home it’s not quite as impressive: +7 (23 scored, 16 conceded) shows that Stockport are much more likely to leak goals beyond the confines of their home stadium, which will be appeal to those Bradford City fans who made the trip to Edgeley Park to see City frustrate County with a well-earned 1-1 draw.

So who should Bradford City fans look out for in this upcoming clash at Valley Parade?

Top goalscorer Isaac Olaofe (13) is the dangerman up top, though Louie Barry (9) isn’t far behind either. Paddy Madden (5), more of a super sub this campaign, can claim the same number of goals again in cup competition, taking his overall tally to 10, while Kyle Wootton (6), Antoni Sarcevic (4) and Will Collar (4) cannot be ignored.

With such attacking riches at their disposal, Stockport County will be sure to test the Bradford City backline time and again, though Sarcevic is likely to remain out of contention after picking up an injury at Morecambe, and Will Collar hasn’t been seen since the defeat at Newport County. Top scorer Isaac Olaofe was withdrawn at half time in the recent 2-2 drawn against Barrow as Challinor looked to mix things up, with substitutes Nick Powell and Akil Wright producing the goals after coming off the bench.

Looking forward to the trip to Valley Parade, Dave Challinor described it as a ‘great place to go’, and said his players would be looking forward to the challenge.



Barrow 2 - 2 Stockport County

BRADFORD CITY

Bradford City’s 6-game winning streak was ended by a Morecambe side who, like Barrow against Stockport County on Boxing Day, let slip a 2-0 lead to wind up drawing 2-2. Bradford City, like Stockport County, showed great character to come back and snatch a share of the spoils, and extend their unbeaten run to 7. Bradford City will take confidence from their dominant second half display, though their tepid start will also be cause for concern.

Morecambe were able to get at City early and took the lead in the 3rd minute through defender James Connolly. JJ McKiernan then doubled the advantage on the 18th minute, before former Bantam Yann Songo’o slammed a header against the post. If the Shrimps should have been out of sight before half time, then the way Graham Alexander’s men turned it around in the second half must be considered quite the achievement. In truth, the Bantams can say they matched Morecambe’s first half performance with goals from substitute Clark Oduor and Player of the Season candidate Brad Halliday, before hitting the woodwork themselves with an Andy Cook header. Those missing third goals are either end ensured both sides had to settle for a point, and both sets of supporters likely walked away from Valley Parade feeling fairly pragmatic about the afternoon’s fare, and indeed the future.

While Bradford City struggled in the first half to make a dent in the performance of a manful back line, Graham Alexander was able to switch things up sufficiently at half time to really pin the Shrimps back for the majority of the 45 remaining minutes. While Morecambe fans will claim their side ‘sat back’, Bradford City were at it the minute they came out for the second half – and came close to snatching the full 3 points.

Bradford City’s newly found goalscoring form continues, then, making for an extremely exciting-looking clash against top-of-the-table Stockport County. While it would be easy to wring hands over Stockport’s attacking prowess in combination with City’s lacklustre defending in the first half against Morecambe, the same can be said in reverse. Stockport County endured an equally unsuccessful first half at Barrow, and needed the exact same response in the second half. Both teams, then, have proved they can be got at, and yet still show the spirit and capability to recover.

The absence of Jamie Walker on Boxing Day was a serious miss, with his replacement Manny Osadebe enduring a torrid 45 minutes before being withdrawn at half time for goalscorer Clark Oduor, but the prospect of Oduor starting against Stockport County might not be too much more inspiring. With Alex Pattison also unavailable, Oduor might be in the driving seat for that attacking midfield berth, but rumours of middling output in training have been reflected from time-to-time on the pitch, too.

Still, Graham Alexander can offer Oduor a fresh start, and if he can continue to contribute going forward, nobody will be complaining.

Andy Cook, on a recent hot run of form, looked slightly off it against Morecambe, but equally could have contributed the winning header – but the crossbar denied those plans. His performance against Stockport County will be hugely important, as well his strike partner – whether it will be Tyler Smith or the returning Vadaine Oliver, who looked useful when he came on.

Either way, we can expect a terrific game on Friday, with both sides now looking like legitimate attacking threats, and both having proven this season they can go on extended winning runs.



Bradford City 2 - 2 Morecambe

 

THE BREAKDOWN

21/10: Bradford City
23/10: Draw
11/8: Stockport County

Stockport County are the favourites for the clash at Valley Parade, even though they haven’t won any of their last 5 away days. A creditable draw at Barrow has been the highlight, while draws at Morecambe and Aldershot Town (FA Cup) coupled with defeats against Wigan Athletic (EFL Trophy) and Newport County paint an increasingly gloomy picture of injury-hit Stockport’s ability to lay siege to teams away from Edgeley Park.

The bright spot in the last 6 week period has been the pair of home wins over Sutton United (8-0) and Notts County (2-1), as well as the fact the Hatters have only lost once in the league since August – when Mansfield Town bested them in a 3-2 thriller. Cup defeats aside, and they have added a little tarnish to Stockport County’s recent form, things aren’t looking too gloomy for Stockport as of late, even if they are not currently enjoying their finest form.

Dave Challinor will relish the prospect of facing a rejuvenated Bradford City at Valley Parade, one of the most impressive stadia in all of League Two, and the faithful Bantams fans will be sure to generate an intimidating atmosphere in a highly anticipated game. Bradford City, for their part, will remind themselves that they already took a point from Stockport County at Edgeley Park, even in spite of Stockport’s excellent home form in League Two. They will want to at least match that outcome on Friday evening, and will be confident they now have the goals in the team to cause Stockport real problems.

You would think there will be goals in this game, even if there are nervy moments for each side, and while Stockport County coming to Valley Parade and winning wouldn’t be a surprise (let alone winning well), current form is a key factor in the prediction of a highly entertaining goal fest. Expect end-to-end action, with several sharp shooters on display for either side, though with both teams missing key players there will also be errors made – perhaps contributing to a potentially chaotic game.

Stockport County won’t be overlooking Bradford City, but nor did they overlook Barrow. The pick is a 3-3 draw, with the potential for goals proving irresistible.

PREDICTION:

Bradford City 3 – 3 Stockport County