With just three points separating them, Bradford City will aim to draw level with Chesterfield – and potentially leapfrog them in the League Two standings – when the two sides meet at Northern Commercials Stadium on Sunday.
Both teams arrive at this fixture in contrasting form – the hosts have claimed two wins in their last three League Two matches, while the visitors are looking to recover after their three-match winning streak was abruptly halted on Boxing Day.
Match preview
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Bradford City stayed within touching distance of the final playoff spot after securing a 2-1 victory over Port Vale on Boxing Day, courtesy of an Andy Cook brace, scored either side of Antwoine Hackford's goal for the Valiants.
Cook continues to play a pivotal role for the Bantams this season – the 34-year-old English striker has been involved in nearly half of Bradford's 26 league goals, with his tally of 12 making him the joint-top scorer in League Two.
Thanks to his goals, the team bounced back from their defeat to Notts County, climbing two places to 10th in the table with 31 points from 21 matches.
Bradford, now boasting the third-best home record in the league with 21 points from 10 games, will look to maintain their strong form at Northern Commercials Stadium when they welcome Chesterfield on Sunday.
Adding to their confidence is their dominant record against Sunday's opponents, having won nine of their 13 home matches against the visitors, and emerging victorious in the last six competitive meetings.
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Chesterfield's return to the Football League has been largely positive, but the Spireites suffered a setback on Boxing Day, falling 2-0 away to Fleetwood, ending their three-match winning streak.
The 2023-24 National League champions slipped to sixth place following the defeat, with 34 points from 22 matches, and now sit just two points behind third-placed Doncaster, who occupy the final automatic promotion spot.
Paul Cook's men are tied on points with Wimbledon, Notts County, and Grimsby Town, edging the latter only on goal difference, knowing that any rough patch could see them fall off the pack.
However, things are not looking promising for the Spireites heading into their final game of the year. While Chesterfield have the sixth-best away record in the division, their recent form on the road has been less than inspiring, with three defeats in their last four league games away from home.
Team News
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Bradford City have just one injury concern ahead of this clash, with right-back Callum Johnson still sidelined and expected to remain out for the foreseeable future.
Graham Alexander is likely to stick with the same line-up that secured victory over Port Vale, featuring Bobby Pointon and Calum Kavanagh supporting the in-form striker Cook.
Chesterfield, meanwhile, have seen their injury woes deepen, with Ryan Colclough and top scorer Will Grigg joining an already extensive casualty list.
Grigg's absence paved the way for 16-year-old striker Gunner Elliott to make his senior debut during the final five minutes of the defeat to Fleetwood.
Kane Drummond, who was tasked with leading the line in that match, is expected to retain his role for Sunday's encounter.
Bradford City possible starting lineup:
Walker; Kelly, Huntington, Baldwin; Halliday, Sarcevic, Smallwood, Richards; Kavanagh, Pointon; Cook
Chesterfield possible starting lineup:
Thomspon; Araujo, Grimes, Naylor, Sheckleford; Banks; Berry, Dobra, Mandeville, Markanday; Drummond
We say: Bradford City 2-1 Chesterfield
Bradford's campaign has been driven by their strong home form this season, and we believe they will have too much for Chesterfield to contend with, considering the visitors' recent struggles on the road, which is why we are predicting a win for the hosts.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
