Preview: Oxford United v Bradford City
By Chloe Horswill
Oxford United welcome an unbeaten Bradford City team who are looking to go top to the Kassam Stadium.
The Bantams have won their past four games in all competitions and dug in to secure a 2-0 win over Shrewsbury in their last game.
Bradford are one point behind leaders Scunthorpe United and will be hoping that leading goal scorer Billy Clarke can get back on the scoresheet this weekend.
Oxford will prove to be a force to be reckoned themselves with after a strong start to the season following their promotion.
They sit 13th in the league after suffering a defeat to AFC Wimbledon, but had they won that game they would be sitting on the brink of the play-offs.
Oxford’s head coach Michael Appleton is sure that his players are still in the right frame of mind following that loss to be the first team to beat Bradford.
He said: “From what I have seen so far I expect them to be up there for the rest of the season so we know we have a tough test but I think it is one that our players will probably relish.”
Oxford are without defender Joe Skarz due to a shoulder injury but are expected to start ex-Bradford loanees in goalkeeper Simon Eastwood and striker Wes Thomas.
Striker James Hanson and midfielder Josh Cullen are available to Stuart McCall again but defender Tony McMahon is still out due to a thigh problem.
In the last meeting between the two resulted in a 2-0 away victory for Bradford after two second half goals from Nahki Wells and Andrew Davies.