Reading face a trip up north to take on recently promoted Bradford City this weekend. Join us as we take a closer look at the opposition.
Form
Bradford City were promoted to League One last season, gaining automatic promotion after finishing third in League Two. Promotion ended their six-year stay in the fourth tier, following their relegation from League One in 2019.
City are having a great first season back in League One and are right in the promotion hunt, currently sitting second in the league on 34 points, the same number as Lincoln City in third.
Their recent form has been mixed, seeing two wins, two draws and one loss in their last five games. However, they come into this weekend’s game off the back of two straight league wins, beating Devon sides Exeter City and Plymouth Argyle.
The two sides last faced each other in 2015 in the FA Cup, with Reading beating the Bantams 3-0 at the Madejski Stadium in an FA Cup quarter-final replay to set up a semi-final tie against Arsenal at Wembley.
The boss
Graham Alexander: Alexander was appointed Bradford manager in November 2023 following the sacking of Mark Hughes.
He had a playing career spanning 24 years, as a right-back, representing the likes of Scunthorpe, Luton Town, Preston North End and Burnley. The Scotsman also represented his country, picking up 40 caps for the Tartan Army.
Following retirement he secured his first managerial role in 2012, taking over the reins at Fleetwood Town, where he guided the club from League Two to League One.
Alexander returned to Scunthorpe United, the club where his career started in 2016, spending two seasons there before going on to join Salford City. He guided Salford to the Football League in 2019, winning the National League playoffs.
The Scotsman was sacked the following season and then took a trip north of the border to become Motherwell Head Coach in 2021. A spell at MK Dons followed, however he was sacked after only five months in charge.
The 54-year-old joined Bradford in 2023 and guided the club to promotion back to League One last season, with the Bantams finishing third in the league. Alexander likes his sides to play with a high press.
Squad
Bradford prepared for life back in League One with the signing of 11 players over the summer, mainly utilising the free-transfer market.
Key signings included defenders Joe Wright and Matthew Pennington, midfielders Nick Powell and Josh Neufville and forwards Will Swan and Stephen Humphrys. They also signed former Reading defender Tom McIntyre on loan from Championship Portsmouth.
Bradford will have forward Bobby Pointon back from suspension for this weekend’s clash, however summer signing Pennington will be missing thorough injury.
Predicted lineup
Walker, J Wright, Baldwin, Kelly, Neufville, Power, Metcalfe, Touray, Sarcevic, Pointon, Humphrys
Key player
4. Joe Wright: Defender Wright joined Bradford this summer, joining on a free transfer following the end of his contract at Kilmarnock.
He started his career in the youth setup at Huddersfield Town and signed his first pro deal with the club in 2013. Wright never made a first-team appearance for the Terriers, but spent time on loan at Accrington Stanley, before going on to join Doncaster Rovers on a permanent deal in 2016.
Wright spent five seasons at Rovers, making 157 appearances for the club. He went on to join Kilmarnock in 2022, where he spent a further three seasons, scoring 10 goals.
The 30-year-old already has two Bradford goals to his name, having played a part in 16 games so far this season. Wright is a physical centre-back who is strong in the air.
One to watch
7. Josh Neufville: Wide man Neufville also joined Bradford this summer, signing on a free transfer following the end of his contract at AFC Wimbledon.
In his youth career he spent time at Crawley Green before joining Luton, where he signed his first pro deal. He made four first-team appearances for the Hatters while also spending time out on loan in the National League at Solihull Moors, Woking and Yeovil Town and League Two with Sutton United.
Neufville went on to join AFC Wimbledon on a permanent deal in 2023 and made 99 appearances for the club over the course of two seasons, scoring seven goals.
He already has three Bradford goals to his name since signing over the summer. The 24-year-old typically plays as a right midfielder but can also operate as a wing-back, and is pacey with high energy.
Category: General Sports
