Bradford v Fleetwood preview: Alex Jones in fitness race
Thursday 4 May 2017 21:04, UK
Bradford striker Alex Jones is hoping to recover from a hamstring injury in time for the first leg of his side's play-off semi-final against Fleetwood, live on Sky Sports 1 from 7.30pm on Thursday.
Bantams boss Stuart McCall initially feared Jones would be ruled out after sustaining the injury in Sunday's draw at Rochdale, but will give the 15-goal forward every chance of proving his fitness.
Defender Matt Kilgallon (shoulder) and winger Alex Gilliead (hamstring) both returned to the starting line-up at the weekend and will be in contention.
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Goalkeeper Colin Doyle, defenders James Meredith, Nat Knight-Percival, Tony McMahon and Romain Vincelot, plus midfielders Nicky Law and Josh Cullen are likely to return after being rested.
McCall is expecting Bradford's two-legged play-off clash with Fleetwood to be a tight affair, given the two clubs' remarkably similar records this season.
He told Bantams PlayerHD: "We've both got, I think, the second best defensive record in the league - I think we've both conceded 43, under one goal a game.
"We played better at Fleetwood and got beat and they probably played better at our place and got beat."
Fleetwood boss Uwe Rosler is hoping to choose from an unchanged squad, with no major new injury or suspension worries following Sunday's goalless home draw against Port Vale.
Cian Bolger is hoping to shake off the knock that forced him off at the weekend. He returned from a knee injury, but lasted only 17 minutes before being replaced by Nathan Pond.
Striker Devante Cole (groin) stepped off the bench against Port Vale following injury and will be in contention, while Jimmy Ryan, out since November with a foot injury, played for 45 minutes with the development squad on Tuesday night.
Fleetwood, who beat Crewe on the final day last season to avoid relegation, finished fourth in the table, four points behind second-placed Bolton.
Rosler claims Fleetwood are "underdogs" for the tie, despite his side finishing above the Bantams and also being in with a chance of snatching an automatic promotion place on the last day of the regular season.
He told the Blackpool Gazette: "I think Bradford are a very good footballing side.
"The first game they won 2-1. I think we were a little bit hard done by. A draw would have been a fair result. In the second game they outplayed us for some periods of the game but in the last 20 minutes we were very strong and turned the tide in our favour. Overall Bradford probably think they have the margins on their side."
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Both clashes between Bradford and Fleetwood this season ended in a 2-1 win for the home side.
Fleetwood finished fourth in League One this season. The team that has finished fourth has gone on to play in the play-off final in each of the last six League One seasons.
Bradford have now finished fifth in consecutive League One seasons, losing at the semi-final stage of last season's play-offs against Millwall.
Fleetwood have kept the most clean sheets in League One this season (20).
Fleetwood have never lost a Football League play-off match (W2 D1) after earning promotion to League One in 2014, beating Burton Albion 1-0 in the final at Wembley.
Indeed, Fleetwood are yet to concede a goal in the Football League play-offs.
Bradford's only defeat in their last 31 home matches in league competition (inc. play-offs) was to Millwall in the first leg of the League One play-offs last season (W18 D12).
Prutton predicts
These two sides were pretty close in the table and I can't pick much between them. I've been to Bradford when they've packed it out, and no doubt it will be rocking on Thursday, so it will be a difficult one for Fleetwood. Can they cope with that?
They came very close to automatic promotion and first and foremost have to deal with missing out.
But they have been brilliant all season, surpassing all expectations, and I have a feeling they keep it close for the return fixture.
PRUTTON PREDICTS: 1-1 (Sky Bet odds 5/1)
