Bradford v Portsmouth '“ Big match preview

Here's all the key facts and figures you need to know going into the game'¦  

Bradford team news

The Bantams' player crisis is beginning to slightly ease, with several returning.

Firstly, George Miller and Ryan McGowan are back from suspension, having missed the 4-0 hammering at Gillingham.

Meanwhile, Adam Chicksen is available again following a muscle tear and is expected to feature in the match-day 18.

However, Sean Scannell is struggling with a stiff back, while definitely out are Jake Reeves (groin), Alex Jones, (hamstring), Joe Riley (calf), Tyrell Robinson (unavailable), Ben Wilson (hamstring), Kelvin Mellor (broken foot), Danny Devine and Luca Colville.

Former Pompey loanee Eoin Doyle is expected to feature in attack for David Hopkin's team.

 

Likely Bradford line-up (4-3-1-2)

Richard O'Donnell, Ryan McGowan, Anthony O'Connor, Nat Wright-Percival, Connor Wood, Lewis O'Brien, Hope Akpan, Josh Wright, Jack Payne, George Miller, Eoin Doyle

Substitutes

George Sykes-Kenworthy, David Ball, Adam Chicksen, Eliot Goldthorp, Jordan Gibson, Kai Brunker, Sherwin Seedorf, 

 

Match odds (provided by the Betting Room, Southsea)

Bradford 16/5, draw 12/5, Pompey 8/11

 

Pompey team news

Nathan Thompson will be absent for the trip to Valley Parade.

The defender picked up his fifth league booking of the season last weekend at Accrington and will serve a one-match suspension.

Anton Walkes is set to replace the former Swindon skipper at right-back. 

However, Tom Naylor returns following his one-match ban and is likely to come straight back into Jackett's starting XI. 

Meanwhile, Andre Green is back with the Blues to complete the final stages of his rehabilitation.

The Aston Villa loanee underwent an operation to remove a cyst from his knee last month. 

Dion Donohue (hamstring) remains sidelined.

 

Likely Pompey line-up (4-2-3-1)

Craig MacGillivray, Anton Walkes, Jack Whatmough, Matt Clarke, Lee Brown, Tom Naylor, Ben Thompson, Jamal Lowe, Gareth Evans, Ronan Curtis, Oli Hawkins

Substitutes 

Luke McGee, Christian Burgess, Brandon Haunstrup, Ben Close, David Wheeler, Joe Mason, Brett Pitman 

 

Referee: Geoff Eltringham (Durham)

 

Bradford form guide

L Gillingham, L Coventry, L Rochdale, L Accrington, L Oldham

 

Pompey form guide

D Accrington, D Burton. W Fleetwood, W AFC Wimbledon, W Crawley, L Gillingham

 

Bradford stats

Top scorer: Jack Payne (4)

Most assists: Lewis O'Brien (2)

Most games: Jack Payne (19)

Form guide: W 4, D 1, L 14

 

Pompey stats

Top scorers: Jamal Lowe & Ronan Curtis (6)

Most assists: Ronan Curtis (5)

Most games: Matt Clarke (19)

Form guide: W 12, D 5, L 2

 

Other fixtures

 (All 3pm kick offs unless stated)

Barnsley v Southend

Blackpool v Bristol Rovers

Charlton v Doncaster

Coventry v Accrington

Gillingham v Fleetwood

Plymouth v Sunderland

Rochdale v Luton

Scunthorpe v Oxford United

Walsall v Burton Albion

Wimbledon v Shrewsbury

Wycombe v Peterborough