Bradford City are the visitors to the Mazuma Mobile Stadium on matchday four of the 2023/24 Sky Bet League Two campaign.
It was a well-earned point for the Shrimps against Notts County in midweek, with Michael Mellon coming closest to breaking the deadlock on two separate occasions.
The Bantams took the lead against Stockport County on Tuesday night and held on until the 80th minute before Isaac Olaofe equalised with around 10 minutes to play.
In the last outing between the sides back in May 2021, Derek Adams’ men ran out 2-0 winners thanks to goals from Liam McAlinden and Cole Stockton respectively, cementing our place in the League Two play-offs.
The Opposition
City are one place above Morecambe in the table going into Saturday’s fixture, with both teams having one win, one draw and one defeat on the board after three games.
It was an opening day defeat away to Crawley Town for Bradford, followed by a 2-1 home win against Colchester where Mark Hughes saw his team come from a goal down to claim all three points.
Hughes took over from Derek Adams at the University of Bradford Stadium in February 2022. He has since taken charge of 72 games; Winning 30, drawing 20 and losing 22, and boasts a point-per-game average of 1.53.
Key Players
Prolific scorer Andy Cook is a proven threat in front of goal, having scored 186 goals in 487 professional appearances to-date. Out of his 31 goals last campaign, the forward netted 28 times in the fourth tier, which landed him a place in the EFL Team of the Season for League Two as well as the division’s top scorer.
34-year-old Kevin McDonald joined the West Yorkshire side on a free in the summer following a spell at Exeter City. One of the more experienced players in the City squad, the defensive-midfielder has 41 Premier League appearances under his belt for Burnley and Fulham. McDonald is back in professional football after a lengthy spell on the side-lines in 2021 following a life-saving kidney transplant.
New arrival Alex Pattison is the early front runner in terms of goals scored for Bradford City so far this season, with three in four appearances across all competitions. The central midfielder was part of the Wycombe Wanderers team to win promotion at Wembley in the 2019/20 play-off final against Oxford United.
Mark Hughes’ Pre-Match Thoughts
Speaking to BradfordCityAFC.com, City boss Mark Hughes says he expects a tough test from the Shrimps.
He said: “It sounds cliché, but it is true - there is no such thing as an easy game.
“Any club that has experience at a higher level will be tough, as they have guys who understand how to get out of this league.
“Morecambe’s approach will not change because of who they are up against, so we should set out as we always do - to focus on ourselves and recognise where in the game we can edge in front.”
Meet The Officials
Lewis Smith will take charge of Saturday’s game; Linesmen Richard Woodward and Oliver will as well as fourth official Matthew Sowerby complet the official’s line-up.
Born in Lancashire, Smith is into his second season as an EFL official and taken charge of three games so far this campaign, in League One, Two and the Carabao Cup.
Listen Live!
If you’re unable to make Saturday’s game at the Mazuma Mobile Stadium, iFollow Shrimps has you covered!
For just £2.50, you can enjoy full match commentary with an audio match pass – click here for more information.