Charlton Athletic vs Bradford City. Sky Bet League One.
The ValleyAttendance10,650.
Monday 12 February 2018 14:41, UK
Charlton defender Jason Pearce could be available for Tuesday's SkyBet League One match against Bradford.
The 30-year-old has been sidelined since December with a knee injury but is pushing to be included in the squad after returning to training. Naby Sarr is also closing in on a first-team return following a hamstring problem. But Stephy Mavididi (hamstring) and Billy Clarke (knee) remain long-term absentees for the Addicks.
New Bradford boss Simon Grayson will be without suspended defender Matt Kilgallon for his first game in charge. Kilgallon was sent off for two yellow card offences in Saturday's home draw against Bury and serves a one-game ban.
Nicky Law could return to contention. The midfielder had hoped to be involved at the weekend after illness, but was not included in caretaker manager Greg Abbott's squad. Tyrell Robinson returned against Bury after injury and Paul Taylor is pushing for a recall after a muscle strain, but Jake Reeves (groin/pelvis) is still out.
The Addicks have lost just once in their last nine home league meetings with Bradford City (W5 D3). Their last win over them at the Valley came in a Premier League clash in November 2000 (2-0) in a game in which Bradford's now former manager Stuart McCall was sent off.
The Bantams have won just one of their last five league clashes with Charlton (D2 L2), also a 2-0 Premier League triumph in April 2001 courtesy of goals from Robbie Blake and Benito Carbone.
There has been a player sent off in four of the last eight league meetings between these two teams, most recently Patrick Bauer for Charlton in a goalless draw in December 2016.
Simon Grayson is set to take charge of his first match as manager of Bradford - he has never lost his first match in charge of a club (P5 W2 D3 L0).
While I thought the sacking of Stuart McCall was extremely harsh, Bradford have made an excellent appointment in Simon Grayson. It didn't work out for him at Sunderland, but you only have to look at where they are now to see what a difficult job that was for him.
This is a big game for Bradford, with Charlton eyeing up their spot in the top six. The Addicks are two points behind the Bantams and this would be a big win for them, considering they have two games in hand. I just have a feeling that Bradford will nick this one.
Prutton predicts: 1-2 (11/1 with Sky Bet)
