Yorkshire | Bradford City look to get back to winning ways

Bradford City v Lincoln City preview

After three successive draws, Bradford City will look to get back to winning ways and move into the automatic promotion places.

Author | Oliver W

Stadium | University of Bradford Stadium

Pre-match | Bradford City v Barnsley

Graham Alexander’s team sit joint-top of the table with 26 points from their opening 13 matches, having earned a 1-1 draw away to second-placed Stevenage last weekend.

Bradford have been a strong force at their home ground this season. They have won five of their six home fixtures, with their only dropped points coming in a 2-2 draw against Barnsley in their most recent outing.

A new challenge for Bradford

Bradford City’s impressive emergence in League One has established them as a side that shy away from no one. Their unbeaten home record and the most productive attack in the division underline why they are firmly positioned among the leading trio.

Tuesday could present one of their sternest examinations yet. Lincoln City have demonstrated a capacity to trouble any team in the third tier, with a squad that combines seasoned know-how and promising young talent.

A closer look at the opposition

Like Bradford, Lincoln will also start the night in the play-off positions and could also finish it in the automatic promotion places with a win.

In their most recent outing, they lost 1-0 at Leyton Orient. This wasn’t a great performance and they had to wait until the 84th minute for a meaningful sight of goal, when Tendayi Darikwa volleyed towards target.

View from the stands | Leyton Orient v Lincoln City

Key stats ahead of the match

Bradford City and Lincoln City are set to meet for the 75th time in the Football League, with the Bantams holding the edge in the fixture after 30 victories compared with Lincoln’s 26, while 18 encounters have ended all square.

Recent history has been less favourable for Bradford, who have managed only one win from their last six league matches against the Imps. The sides have not faced each other in league action since February 2011, when Lincoln earned a 2-1 victory.

Bradford’s recent home form remains one of their biggest strengths. Since the beginning of last season, they have collected more home points than any other club across the top four tiers of English football, claiming 22 wins from 29 league outings at Valley Parade, along with five draws and two defeats.