The Vale travel to Bradford City this evening still in search of their first away league win of the season, but face a tough test as the Bantams will be looking to continue their emphatic home form where they have won their last four in the league. You can find all of the key information regarding the game, below.
Fixture: Bradford City v Port Vale
Competition: Sky Bet League Two
Date: Tuesday 22nd October 2019
Kick-Off: 7:45pm
Venue: Utilita Stadium
Referee: Graham Salisbury
Port Vale
Manager: John Askey
Form: DDWLD
Top Goal Scorer: Richie Bennett (4 goals)
John Askey’s men had to settle for a point on the weekend after a 1-1 draw with Stevenage at Vale Park, yet the gaffer will be hoping to go one better tonight and move closer towards the play-offs; the Valiants currently sit just three points off seventh place.
The Vale are still on the hunt for their first three points on the road in the league this season, but they will take confidence from the fact they have only lost once in their last six fixtures in all competitions. However, the Vale do not pose the best of records against tonight’s opponents, back in August 2013 was the last time the Valiants beat Bradford.
With the likes of Rhys Brown, Jordan Archer and Crisitian Montano having returned to matchday contention recently, the Vale squad is slowly returning to full fitness yet Askey will still be without Emmanuel Oyeleke, Tom Conlon, Mark Cullen and Callum Evans.
“We can go there relaxed and hopefully try to cause a bit of an upset”
John Askey, Port Vale Manager
Bradford City
Manager: Gary Bowyer
Form: WDWWW
Top Goal Scorer: James Vaughn (3)
Many expected Bradford to be fighting for automatic promotion this season following relegation from League One last term, and they have made an impressive start the life back in League Two, currently sitting in second place.
Similarly to the Vale, Bradford also have made their home a fortress so far this term, having only lost once there in the league this season and winning the other six. A win tonight for the Bantams could place them top of the table providing other results go their way.
Gary Bowyer will be without Clayton Donaldson for this one after he sustained a toe injury during their 2-1 win over Crawley on the weekend, ruling the striker our for two months. Dylan Connolly could be in contention after missing Saturday’s win through injury, Kevin Mellor is also back fit. Chris Taylor could make his debut after signing a short-term deal with the club.
One to watch: Harry Pritchard
Harry Pritchard joined Bradford in late August after having his contract at Blackpool terminated by mutual consent, and has been instrumental in the Bantams impressive start to the campaign.
Pritchard naturally plays out wide on the left but has often been utilised in central midfield under Bowyer. The 27-year-old has appeared in every league game since making the switch to Yorkshire and has scored two goals and registered four assists in all competitions this term.
The midfielder only made his English Football League debut last year having played the majority of his trade in non-league prior to his move to Blackpool. He spent six years at Maidenhead United, helping the club to win the National League South title back in 2017. He joined the Tangerines in 2018 where he spent just a season before joining Bradford little over two months ago.
Talk
John Askey: “It is a game that as a player you should be looking forward to, Bradford will have a decent crowd and they are a team who are expected to go up.”
Gary Bowyer: “It will be another tough game. John Askey and Dave Kevan, his assistant are two great footballing men. They are a very well-organised team who are compact and carry a huge threat at the top end of the field.”
Coverage:
iFollow The Vale will be providing full 90-minute commentary from the match, whilst the Port Vale Twitter and Facebook feeds will be providing live updates for the entirety.
You can watch the game LIVE from your home by purchasing the iFollow video Match Pass for £10.
There will also be the build-up to the game with the official Snapchat and Instagram accounts: officialpvfc
Reaction will be available on the official website post-match, as well as on YouTube, iFollow and social media.