We turn our attentions to Saturday's League Two action with a full and in-depth preview of The Bluebirds' trip to The Utilita Energy Stadium.
Bradford City v Barrow
Saturday 30th January 2021, 3pm
The Utilita Energy Stadium
Sky Bet League Two
In Opposition
Bradford City are in the midst of a remarkable recovery from a poor start to the 2020/21 campaign which cost boss Stuart McCall his job in the middle of December.
McCall left the club after a sixth straight defeat against Oldham Athletic last month, but caretaker duo Conor Sellars and Mark Trueman have overseen an astonishing upturn in form since then.
The pair are unbeaten in seven games - and the four victories celebrated in that time is already more than The Bantams had achieved in their previous 16 League Two outings.
With Lee Novak out for at least another month with knee trouble, City have moved into the transfer market to sign three strikers during the January window – including former Barrow pair Danny Rowe and Andy Cook.
City fans will hope that firepower can help push them up the table away from danger and perhaps even see them make a late dash towards the top seven during the second half of the campaign.
One To Watch
Danny Rowe has already hit the net twice against Barrow this season having grabbed a brace for Oldham Athletic as they ran out 4-3 winners at The Progression Solicitors Stadium in November.
The 31-year-old former AFC Fylde hitman, who was on loan at Barrow in 2016 and 2017, made the move to Bradford City last week and scored his first Bantams goal in their 3-1 win at Southend United on Tuesday.
An enigmatic front man who is not afraid to shoot from any angle or distance, Rowe will need to be marshalled well this weekend if Barrow want to return from West Yorkshire with reward.
Head To Head
Saturday’s game will be the 49th competitive meeting between the two clubs and it’s Bradford who have enjoyed the better of it historically having won 21 times in comparison to Barrow’s 14 triumphs.
Indeed, The Bluebirds’ 1-0 win back in October which came courtesy of Connor Brown’s early goal was the first time we’d beaten The Bantams in six attempts dating back to the 1965/66 season.
Barrow’s last trip to Bradford proved a fairly eventful affair as the sides shared the Division Three spoils at the end of a 3-3 draw in April 1970.
Referee
Antony Coggins will take in his first Barrow game of the season this weekend when he’s the man in the middle for our trip to Bradford City.
The official, who has been on the EFL’s list of referees since 2017/18, has overseen 14 games so far this term, mainly across League One and League Two.
His most recent appointment came at Portman Road last Saturday when he presided over Peterborough United’s 1-0 defeat of Ipswich Town.
Betting
Bradford City have been installed as slight 13/10 favourites for three points this weekend, with Barrow available at a price of 19/10 and the draw rated a 23/10 shot with our friends at Sky Bet.
Click here now to take a look at Sky Bet’s range of odds on Saturday’s action.
Live Streaming
Match Passes to watch Saturday’s game live on iFollow Barrow are now available – fans are reminded that Season Ticket holders do not get free access to away games.
Fans in the UK can buy a Match Pass to watch the action now priced at £10, while overseas supporters pay £7.
We would remind supporters that commentary attached to the live stream on Saturday will be provided by the home team, with BBC Radio Cumbria unable to travel due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Click here now to buy your Match Pass for this weekend’s game.
Live Commentary
We will also provide an audio commentary of this weekend’s game as we link up with Bradford City for their live coverage, due to BBC Radio Cumbria being prevented from travelling due to COVID-19 restrictions.
You can purchase an Audio Match Pass for £2.50, an Audio Monthly Pass for £4.49 or sign-up for Audio Season Pass which provides all live commentary and video news for just £45.