Gills will be looking to bounce back with a strong performance at Bradford following Easter Monday defeat.
Bradford City v Gillingham
The University of Bradford Stadium
Sky Bet League Two
Saturday 6th April
Kick-Off, 3pm
Team News:
Dom Jefferies (Thigh) and Jorge Hurtado (Knee) remain unavailable to Stephen Clemence this weekend, as they continue their recoveries from their respective long-term injuries.
Dom however is edging closer to making a return, having rejoined the group in training this week. However, this fixture comes too soon for him.
There are no other injury concerns following the fixture against Harrogate at the start of the week.
As for Bradford, both Andy Cook and Kevin McDonald returned to training this week, after being unavailable to Graham Alexander over the Easter weekend through injury. They will continue to be assessed but could potentially be available to face Gills this Saturday afternoon.
Manager Comments:
Stephen Clemence: “There’s been a lot of hurt in the camp (following Harrogate), there was a lot of anger after that game. We came in the next morning and had a calmer chat amongst everybody. You have to draw a line under that now and move on to Bradford.
“I expect it to be a tough game this weekend, as they all are in this division, but I am looking forward to getting back out there now. We want it to come round quickly."
Graham Alexander: “We played them earlier on in the season, and we had a great victory down at their place. The challenge will be the same as previous weeks.
“They have changed their team, and changed their shape over the last few games, but they have good players.”
Previous Meeting:
The Gills last faced the weekend’s opponents back in December 2023, when the Bantams visited Priestfield in the reverse fixture of the current Sky Bet League Two campaign.
A goal from Jamie Walker with 31 minutes played put Bradford City ahead, and it was followed up when Andy Cook doubled the visitors’ lead in the 75th minute.
Bradford won the game 2-0..
Head-to-Head:
Bradford City – 16
Draw – 17
Gillingham – 23
The Gills have a long history when facing Bradford City, stretching back to the first meeting between the clubs during the 1961/62 league campaign in the old Division 4.
The clubs have met in cup competition once, that being in the 1999/2000 FA Cup. The Bantams made the trip to Priestfield that day where goals from Andy Thomson, Barry Ashby and John Hodge gave the Gills a 3-1 win, sending them comfortably into the next round.
Ticket Information:
Tickets came off sale at 11am on April 5.
Away supporters can purchase tickets on the day via a QR code located by the Away turnstiles on Midland Road at Valley Parade. Collections are to be made from the away turnstiles, no cash purchases. Please do not go to the main Box Office.
Odds:
Bradford Win – 6/5
Draw – 11/5
Gillingham – 9/4
Special Bet: Josh Andrews to score first – 9/1.
Match Officials:
Referee: Ed Duckworth
Assistants: Conor Brown & Karl Buckley
Fourth Official: Danny Guest
Sat Nav: BD8 7DY