Bradford - Oldham, England League One
2004-11-27 16.00 CET
Pick: Bradford
Stake: 3%
Odds: 1,75
Final reasons
Promotion hopefuls Bradford made a fine performance in their last game away against Brentford. They sit in a good position in the league but needs to get back in winning ways also at home to further ease their promotion bid. They are a good side especially at home which they have shown in recent months and we believe that they will win against a struggling an injury hit Oldham on Saturday. We stake 3% on a home win.
General comment about the game
Promotion chasing Bradford will play host to struggling Oldham on Saturday in the English League One. Bradford is currently in fourth place only three points after second placed Tranmere; second place means direct promotion. They are one of the best form teams in the league with seven victories from their ten latest games. After five straight wins ending in the middle of October they were taken back to earth by league leaders Luton who won comfortable with 4-0 at their home soil. After that Bradford struggled in two more games; at home to Colchester and also in the FA Cup against League Two side Rushden & Diamonds. Manager Colin Todd was furious after the FA Cup exit and urged his players to show more commitment and fighting spirit. They responded in their best manners last weekend when they beat strong and tight home side Brentford with 2-1. Todd was very pleased with what he saw and thought they did almost everything right. Bradford were the better side in the first half and was also rightfully 1-0 up, but it could easily have been more. They extended their lead in the second half before the home side threw everything on them in attempts to score. However, Bradford defended well and it was only a few minutes left when Brentford scored a meaningless consolation goal. The only negative about the game was that new signing, striker Zema Abbey (1 apps, 1 goal) from Wycombe, got sent off and will miss tomorrows clash with Oldham. However, long term injury victim Danny Forrest (0(3) apps, 1 goal) seems to be back at his best after three substitute appearances and will make a strong push for a return to the starting eleven on Saturday. Against Brentford he scored the vital second goal. More positive news is that veteran defender Peter Atherton (0(2) apps) is back in contention after his lengthy spell at the sidelines. Also important midfielder Tom Kerney (13 apps, 1 goal) is back in contention after he served a one match ban against Brentford.
Tipped relegation candidate Oldham is as expected to be involved in the relegation battle. At the moment they reside in 19th place only one point from the drop zone. Their away record is awful with only five points from nine attempts. And considering that three of the points came when playing against lowly Stockport a couple of weeks ago does not make their record better. Last game was at home against Barnsley and the game got a dramatic ending. Visiting Barnsley dominated much of the game and was also rightfully 2-1 up until the very end. However, two headers from the home side turned the match around and when the final whistle blown the home team had amazingly won with 3-2. The Barnsley players must have been stunned by the fact that they lost considering their dominance and rued chances. Oldham still has plenty of players out injured; strikers Rodney Jack (5(5) apps, 2 goals) and John Eyre (14 apps, 1 goal), midfielders Jermaine Johnsson (12(1) apps, 4 goals), Matt Appleby (5(6) apps) and Mark Bonner (8 apps). Furthermore, striker Chris Killen (8 apps, 3 goals) is doubtful. Manager Brian Talbot has because of the injury situation strengthen his squad recently in midfielders Mark Hughes from Tottenham and Neil Kilkenny from Birmingham. Both played in the Barnsley game. However, since both Kevin Betsy (10 apps, 1 goal) and Danny Boshell (10(2) apps, 1 goal) returns to the squad it is not certain that the two new boys will continue in the starting eleven.
Recent games for home team
|
2004-11-20 |
Brentford-Bradford |
1-2 |
|
2004-11-06 |
Bradford-Colchester |
2-2 |
|
2004-10-30 |
Luton-Bradford |
4-0 |
|
2004-10-23 |
Bradford-Sheffield W |
3-1 |
|
2004-10-16 |
Bradford-Blackpool |
2-1 |
Recent games for away team
|
2004-11-20 |
Oldham-Barnsley |
3-2 |
|
2004-11-06 |
Torquay-Oldham |
2-0 |
|
2004-10-30 |
Stockport-Oldham |
1-2 |
|
2004-10-23 |
Oldham-Bournemouth |
1-2 |
|
2004-10-19 |
Oldham-Bristol City |
0-0 |
Home table
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Bradford |
9 |
5 |
2 |
2 |
18-12 |
17 |
Away table
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Oldham |
9 |
1 |
2 |
6 |
5-14 |
5 |
Links for this game
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// SportsObserver 041126
