Wanderers welcome Bradford City to the University of Bolton Stadium this evening, as they take on the Bantams in their first game in the Leasing.com Trophy (Kick off 7pm).
Team News
Wanderers’ new manager and assistant manager Keith Hill and David Flitcroft will not be in charge for tonight’s game against the Bantams and Jimmy Phillips will continue in interim charge of the Whites.
Furthermore, none of Wanderers’ new nine signings will be involved in the clash.
Looking to the injury list and Wanderers are still without defensive duo Liam Edwards and Josh Earl, along with striker Connor Hall with their respective ankle injuries.
Head to Head
Wanderers and Bradford have faced each other on 47 occasions, with us coming out on top in 17 of those contests.
The two teams have drawn on 16 occasions and Bradford have 14 victories to their name in clashes between the two sides. Their last win against Wanderers coming back in January 1997 in the old First Division.
In recent history, games between the two teams have ended in a 2-2 and 0-0 draw, when they met in the 2016/17 Sky Bet League One season.
Match Coverage:
As usual, match updates will be provided by the club’s official twitter account (@OfficialBWFC). We will keep you up to date with the action to ensure you don’t miss a kick – delivering a match report shortly after the final whistle with post-match reaction from Wanderers’ Interim Manager, Jimmy Phillips.
Live commentary will also be available by the iFollow BWFC channel (subscribe via the website), with the BBC Radio Manchester team providing the coverage.
Betting Odds
At the time of writing, Bradford are the favourites heading into this one. The away side are fancied to be victorious by Sky Bet and are priced at 1/3.
Wanderers are priced at 13/2 to register a win and you can get the draw at 15/4.
Man in the Middle:
Martin Coy will be the referee for tonight’s Leasing.com Trophy clash against Gary Bowyer’s men.
The Durham based referee has officiated three matches this season. He took charge of a 2-2 draw in the EFL Cup first round between Blackpool and Macclesfield Town, where he dished out five cautions during that game.
This will be the first time that Coy will take charge of a Wanderers game, with a majority of his seven year officiating career spent in the National League.
Gareth Mellor and Daniel Woodward will act as his assistants, with Chris Isherwood the fourth official for tonight’s fixture.
Key Men for the Bantams:
Bradford acquired the services of James Vaughan in the summer, on a free transfer from Wigan Athletic.
This has proven to be a stupendous signing for Gary Bowyer’s men, with the new club captain scoring three goals so far for the club.
To increase their attacking prowess, the Bantams brought in local lad and former Wanderers striker, Clayton Donaldson.
The experienced Jamaican international scored in Bradford’s 3-0 victory over Oldham in a Sky Bet League Two clash.
Tickets:
Tickets will be priced at just £5 per person and will include a complimentary four-page souvenir match day supplement as well as free car parking on the University of Bolton Stadium official car parks.
The club has taken the decision to open the North Stand Lower Tier as well as the West Stand Lower Tier.
Supporters are able to pay directly at the turnstiles at blocks A & D in the West Lower and blocks M & P in the North Lower. Tickets will be sold on a cash only basis.
Visiting Bradford City supporters will enter via Block E of the Franking Sense South Stand.
Turnstiles will open 6.15pm.
Please note: the official match day bus service won’t be in operation for this fixture.