Preview: Bradford City vs Stockport County – prediction, team news, lineups.

Bradford City and Stockport County face off on Tuesday evening, hoping for a win that will boost their playoff position. These two teams meet at Valley Parade, with fifth and fourth place in the League One table respectively.

However, after losing four times in five games, Graham Alexander’s side has returned with six points from three games.

Both victories during that time have occurred at Valley Parade, with a 1-0 success over Doncaster Rovers and a 2-0 win over emerging playoff contenders Peterborough United.

Not only have the Bantams won 11 of their 15 home games in the League One since achieving promotion last season, there is also a six-point lead over seventh place.

Nonetheless, Alexander will be mindful that his team has yet to achieve consecutive victories in 2026, and they have not scored more than twice in a league game since the middle of September.

Stockport have gone eight matches unbeaten in all competitions, winning six of them.

Most impressively, 14 points have been earned in their previous six League One games, a run that has been required to maintain any prospect of automatic promotion.

While Stockport was enjoying a free weekend, Lincoln City and Bolton Wanderers, who are second and third, drew, keeping Stockport within nine points of second with a game in hand.

Dave Challinor’s side has kept two clean sheets in a row after a goalless draw with Leyton Orient in the league and a 4-0 victory over Port Vale in the EFL Trophy quarter-finals.

Bradford will be obliged to make at least one change as Max Power begins a two-match suspension for ten yellow cards. Lee Evans might start as a straight substitute in midfield, with Matthew Pennington replacing Ibou Touray.

Stephen Humphrys, Paul Mullin, and Ethan Wheatley are all alternatives for the last third. Meanwhile, Stockport will reshuffle their right-back after Josh Dacres-Cogley was sent off against Leyton Orient.

Roman Dixon could be drafted as an alternative. Adama Sidibeh, who scored twice against Port Vale in the EFL Trophy, might potentially play in the final third.Bradford City’s likely starting lineup:   Walker, Baldwin, Tilt, Pennington; Neufville, Evans, Metcalfe, Wright; Sarcevic, Pointon; Jackson.

Stockport County’s likely starting lineup:Hinchliffe; Dixon, Hills, Pye, Edun; Bailey and Norwood; Diamond, Sidibeh, Osborn; Wootton

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