Walsall vs Bradford City on 14 Sep 19 - Match Centre

Walsall return to the Banks’s Stadium as they take on Bradford City in Sky Bet League Two.

The Saddlers will be looking for their first home win of the season and build on their recent draw away at Colchester United.

The Bantams were relegated to League Two alongside Walsall last season and have made a steady start to life in the fourth tier so far.

TEAM NEWS

Kory Roberts remains a long term absentee for Walsall.

Gary Liddle could face his former club if selected.

Bradford will be without Jamie Devitt, who was confirmed to be missing around four months with a torn hamstring tendon injury.

Ex-Saddler Zeli Ismail will also be unavailable, having picked up a red card in last weekend's victory over Northampton.

Adam Henley and Shay McCartan are back in contention for starting places, while former Walsall loanee Aramide Oteh could make his debut in claret and amber.

HEAD TO HEAD

Walsall and Bradford have met 49 times overall.

The Bantams have been victorious on 15 occasions while the Saddlers have come out on top 14 times.

The two sides have drawn 20 times.

RECENT MEETING

There was plenty of drama back in February when the teams last met at the Banks’s.

Things looked bleak for Walsall early on as Andy Cook was sent off before Eoin Doyle gave the visitors the lead.

Josh Gordon and Joe Edwards turned the game on its head for the Saddlers but Anthony O’Connor equalised for the Bantams.

The 10-men restored their lead on 62 minutes when Gordon scored his second and Walsall held on for victory.

FORM GUIDE

Bradford ended a run of two consecutive defeats with a 2-1 victory over Northampton Town last weekend.

The Saddlers are still looking for their first win since the opening day.

FROM THE DUGOUT

Darrell Clarke: “We get judged on results so how you make that into a positive point is by having a good week.

“We’ve got two home games and Morecambe away so we look forward to that so it’s time to deliver so let’s see if we can start climbing the table.”

Gary Bowyer: "There has been a calm mood around the training ground and everyone has been relaxed and focussed on the task ahead.

"But we are still well-aware of the challenge Walsall will provide. They are rebuilding with a new manager and have recruited well, with a lot of new players.

"We know what kind of test we are going to be faced with and are expecting another very tough game."

PLAYED FOR BOTH

Walsall midfielder Gary Liddle had a spell at Valley Parade between 2014 and 2016.

Bradford have three former Saddlers in their ranks in keeper Richard O’Donnell, Zeli Ismail and Aramide Oteh.

TICKETS

Tickets can be purchased by calling the ticket office Call 01922 651 414/416 or online.

Fans can also pay on the day.

Match Previews

A late Liam Kinsella own goal saw Bradford City snatch three points in a close encounter at the Banks's Stadium

The Saddlers had chances in an eventful second half which saw James Vaughan also miss a penalty.

Darrell Clarke made two changes to the team that drew at Colchester United.

Stuart Sinclair and Dan Scarr came into the side in place of Cameron Pring and Cameron Norman.

The visitors had the better of the opening exchanges and had the ball in the net after seven minutes when James Vaughan headed in but the referee chalked it off for a foul on Liam Roberts.

Walsall’s best chance of the first half came after 26 minutes. Rory Gaffney’s brilliant knockdown found Caolan Lavery who rifled in a powerful shot that was pushed away by former Saddlers keeper Richard O’Donnell.

Both sides made a bright start to the second half. Gaffney had a shot stopped by O’Donnell before Janes Vaughan’s hooked effort was saved by Liam Roberts down the other end.

The Saddlers had a good spell just after the hour mark. Gaffney almost put the Saddlers in front with a beautiful curling effort but O’Donnell pulled off a brilliant save to deny him.

Two minutes later, Hardy teed up Gaffney who fierce striker took a deflection and went behind.

The Saddlers were having the better of the second half but the visitors were presented a golden opportunity to take the lead when Dan Scarr fouled Vaughan in the penalty area and the referee pointed to the spot.

They didn’t take it though as Vaughan skied his penalty.

Vaughan looked to have made amends on 83 minutes though when he headed in from close range to put the Bantams in front however replays showed Kinsella had the final touch.

The Saddlers battled on but the visitors held on for the victory.

Match Reports

Walsall Football Club

Standings

Preview: Walsall v Bradford

Report: Walsall 0-1 Bradford