Football VAVEL

Bradford City vs Oldham Athletic preview: How to watch, kick-off time, predicted lineups, team news, officiating and ones to watch

Bradford City will host Oldham Athletic on Saturday at 15:00 BST.

Bradford City vs Oldham Athletic preview: How to watch, kick-off time, predicted lineups, team news, officiating and ones to watch
Above: Callum Cooke in action for Bradford City on Tuesday against Nottingham Forest (Photo taken by Jon Hobley/Getty Images)
gabriel-ramsey
By Gabriel Ramsey

The highest attendance in Sky Bet League Two will be present in West Yorkshire tomorrow, as 17,000 fans gather at the Utilita Energy Stadium for the clash between Bradford City and Oldham Athletic.

Both sides will still be looking for their first league victories of the season, as the Bantams were halted to a goalless stalemate with Exeter City, and the Latics were bested by a last minute strike from Newport County's veteran attacker Kevin Ellison.

Derek Adams will be searching for his first competitive victory in charge, whilst Keith Curle will not be present tomorrow, with the Oldham manager self-isolating due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

  • Team news

Adams will be missing three of his first team players, with Levi SuttonYann Songo'o and Oscar Threlkeld all confirmed to be sitting out of the tie due to recent injuries. 

This means that Finn Cousin-Dawson will likely retain his position in right-back, and Callum Cooke will play in a deeper role than usual due to Songo'o and Sutton's absences.

Caolan Lavery may be involved in the squad tomorrow for the first time signing, with Adams waiting for the striker to be well integrated in training before considering him a starter.

The Latics have had a difficult start to the season, with a lot of their first team squad being struck down with COVID-19.

Jayson Leutwiler and Hallam Hope will all continue to self-isolate, meaning the likes of Jacob Blyth and midweek cup hero Daniel Rogers will probably retain their place.

Alan Sheehan will potentially start against his former club, having recently taken up a player-coach role with Oldham.

  • Predicted lineups

Bradford City: O'Donnell; Cousin-Dawson, O'Connor, Canavan, Ridehalgh, Watt, Cooke, Gilliead, Vernam, Angol, Cook.

Oldham Athletic: Rogers; Sheehan, Piergianni, Clarke, Adams, Hart, Whelan, Cisse, Bowden, Keillor-Dunn, Blyth.

  • Ones to watch

Callum Cooke

A hero for the Bantams in midweek, Cooke showed his class when diverting the free-kick against Nottingham Forest to send the away fans in jubilance.

Whilst he's filling in in a deeper role due to the midfield injury crisis Bradford are currently facing, Cooke is used to playing in a more advanced role, using his creativity and wide range of passing to control the transition between midfield and attack.

Playing in a deeper position, Cooke will have better vision in spotting Andy CookLee Angol and Alex Gilliead, meaning that Bradford fans can expect a lot of chances on Saturday.

Carl Piergianni

Having been one of the more consistent performers in Oldham's league and cup games so far, Piergianni is a leader in the back-line.

Bradford are known for having one of the more dangerous attacks in the league, with a physical striker like Cook, so the talents of Piergianni will be relied upon in order to avoid a drilling.

With his vast range of passing and his confident defensive attributes, Piergianni could be a deciding factor on Saturday as to whether Oldham are able to keep a clean sheet.

  • The officiating

Referee: Stephen Martin

Assistant refeeres: Natalie Aspinall/Matthew McGrath

Fourth official: David Avent

  • Previous meeting

These two sides are regular competitors since 2011, having played one another 20 times, with the Latics victorious in 55% of those fixtures.

Last time out however, it was a goalless draw between the two sides thanks to some heroics from Bradford goalkeeper Richard O’Donnell.

  • How to watch

This game is a 15:00 BST kick-off, but unfortunately cannot be watched in the UK. However, it can be watched internationally through the clubs' streaming services on their website. Tickets are also still available for the match, however pay on the gate is not permitted due to COVID-19 restrictions.