Preview: Scunthorpe United vs. Bradford City - prediction, team news, lineups

Scunthorpe United and Bradford City will each be seeking a return to winning ways when they meet at Glanford Park on Tuesday evening.

The home side have gone five games without a win, drawing four of those, while their opponents are winless in four.

Match preview

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Draw specialists Scunthorpe rescued a point in Saturday's home match with Southend United through Alfie Beestin's last-minute strike.

However, a 1-1 draw with a Southend side sitting second bottom of the division, and previously without a goal in more than 500 minutes, is not a result to be celebrated.

Incredibly, four of United's last five games have now finished by that same scoreline, having also shared the spoils with Salford City, Leyton Orient and Oldham Athletic.

Neil Cox's men have slipped down to 18th in the division, 11 points above the relegation zone and 15 off the playoffs with a game in hand to play.

A mid-table finish is looking to most likely outcome, then, but the Iron will see this visit of Bradford as a chance to bounce back to winning ways.

The Bantams are six points better off in 12th, despite drawing two and losing two of their last four games since a 1-0 win against Mansfield Town.

Bradford's last game finished in a stalemate with Oldham Athletic, making it two points from the last 12 on offer, compared to a previous run of 15 points from 15.

City are now nine points off the top seven, though they do have two games in hand on Newport County in that final playoff spot.

All is not yet lost for Mark Trueman's charges, then, but a response is required at Glanford Park on Tuesday.

The reverse match earlier this season finished in a 2-2 draw at Valley Parade, while this corresponding fixture last term was also a draw.

Team News

Scunthorpe had Jordan Clarke sent off late on against Southend, meaning that Cox will be forced into a change in the heart of defence.

Teddy Howe was brought on as a substitute last time out and will be hopeful of partnering Jacob Bedeau in the backline.

Abo Eisa and John McAtee are two others in contention to return to the XI, but the likes of Aaron Jarvis, George Hornshaw and George Taft are definitely out.

As for Bradford, Zeli Ismail is their only confirmed injury and suspension absentee for this trip to Glanford Park.

Trueman and deputy Conor Sellars may be tempted to freshen things up in attack, with Jordan Stevens, Andy Cook and Billy Clarke pushing for inclusion.

Scunthorpe United possible starting lineup:
Howard; Rowe, Howe, Bedeau, Brown; Gilliead, Karacan, Beestin, Green; Veen, Loft

Bradford City possible starting lineup:
O'Donnell; A. O'Connor, P. O'Connor, Canavan, Wood; Sutton, Watt; Crankshaw, Vernam, Evans; Cook

We say: Scunthorpe United 1-1 Bradford City

Scunthorpe have drawn four of their last five games by the same 1-1 scoreline, while the previous two meetings between these sides also finished all square - including a 1-1 draw at Glanford Park last season.

Bradford will be eager to get back to winning ways in order to close the gap on the playoffs, but we cannot see past a draw on Tuesday evening.