Name: Bradford City
Manager: Position Vacant
Ground + Capacity: Coral Windows Stadium – 25,136
Sat Nav Post Code: BD8 7DY
Nearest Train Station: Bradford Forster Square or Bradford Interchange
Odds: 10/1
Last Meeting: Millwall 1-1 Bradford City – Play-off semi-final second leg – 20/05/16
Club Website: www.bradfordcityfc.co.uk/
BRADFORD City are no strangers to Millwall.
As recently as last month, the two clubs went toe to toe in the League One play-off semi-finals.
The Lions came out on top on that occasion, winning 4-2 on aggregate after a 3-1 first leg victory, but they were to lose out to Barnsley in the final.
An indifferent start to the 2015-16 campaign saw the Bantams languish towards the bottom of the table.
However, the turn of the year saw a change in the club’s fortunes, especially so in the final two months of the campaign, in which they won nine out of their final twelve league games, storming into the top six and claiming a play-off place.
Bradford are rightfully among the favourites for the League One title in 2016-17.
In Billy Clarke and James Hanson, the Bantams have firepower in abundance. With ex-Lions Filipe Morais out wide, they also have the ability to unlock teams and with a solid defence, they do not concede many goals.
Their big game experience in recent years stands them in good stead for any challenge ahead and if they can keep the nucleus of their squad together, a tilt at promotion to the Championship should be a formality next season.
However, with Phil Parkinson’s move to Bolton Wanderers confirmed on Friday morning, it remains to be seen whether the new boss can carry on his success and legacy in west Yorkshire.
The two league games between the clubs in 2015-16 were wars of attrition; 2016-17 should be much of the same.