Bradford City and Salford City bring the curtain up in 2023 at The University of Bradford Stadium, with both sides submerged in the increasingly-competitive playoff battle.
The Bantams currently occupy seventh position in the League Two standings, while Neil Wood's side head into the weekend's round of matches only one point behind Sunday's hosts.
Match preview
In pursuit of a return to the third tier of English football for the first time since 2019, Bradford City were at risk of falling behind the increasingly-competitive playoff positions after suffering a hat-trick of league defeats.
After succumbing to defeats against Northampton Town on November 19 and then league leaders Leyton Orient on December 3, Mark Hughes's side headed into the festive footballing period outside of the top seven.
However, things did not go to plan against Carlisle United on Boxing Day, as Paul Huntington's 34th-minute goal condemned Bradford to a third successive league defeat.
At the risk of falling further behind their promotion candidates, The Bantams eventually returned to winning ways on Thursday after Tyreik Wright's strike within the opening 60 seconds ultimately proved enough to secure a much-needed three points against relegation-threatened Harrogate Town.
The win brought up a double-digit return of victories in League Two for The Bantams this season, as Hughes's side restored their position in the playoff positions.
Bradford have registered a respectable 17 points from 11 matches in front of their supporters this campaign, but the question remains whether Bantam supporters dare begin to dream that 2023 will be their year.
Right on the coat-tails of their New Year's Day hosts, Salford City equalled Bradford's 10 league victories this season on December 29 with a one-sided 4-1 win over Grimsby Town.
On the back of eight points from their last five matches, Neil Wood's side showed no remorse for their evening's hosts after Matt Smith netted a hat-trick inside the first 40 minutes of the game.
Before their convincing success, 10-man Salford were denied all three points at the Peninsula Stadium on Boxing Day when Jordan Stevens salvaged a point for fellow playoff candidates Barrow 11 minutes from time.
Possessing the second-best away record in the division, only league leaders Leyton Orient have accumulated more points (23) than The Ammies this season.
In pursuit of consecutive head-to-head victories, following a 1-0 win in the second round of the Football League Trophy on November 22, Salford will travel to West Yorkshire high in the spirit of bringing all three points back to Greater Manchester.
Team News
After registering their first victory in four matches, Mark Hughes could restore Andy Cook to the Bradford starting XI after The Bantams' top scorer was given a well-deserved rest against Harrogate Town.
With Cook expected to retake his place up front, either Tyreik Wright or Vadaine Oliver will make way, with Oliver more likely to drop down to the substitutes' bench after on-loan Aston Villa winger Wright netted the winning goal on Thursday evening.
However, it is unlikely that Hughes will make any alterations to his defence, with Bradley Halliday expected to partner Matthew Platt, Romoney Crichlow and Matthew Foulds at the back.
With no Salford City player in the top 20 goalscorers across League Two this season, Matt Smith will surely be in the mood to enter into those calculations following his sensational first-half hat-trick against Grimsby Town.
Barring the discovery of any new injuries worries, Conor McAleny and Odin Bailey will again line up on either side of Smith in West Yorkshire.
Bradford City possible starting lineup:
Lewis; Halliday, Platt, Crichlow, Foulds; Smallwood, Gilliead, Banks, Chapman, Wright; Cook
Salford City possible starting lineup:
King; Bolton, Vassell, Nartley, Touray; Watson, Watt, Galbraith; McAleny, Bailey, Smith
We say: Bradford City 2-2 Salford City
With Bradford City and Salford City hoping to be involved in the playoff picture at the end of the season, we are going for a goalscoring masterclass to take place at the University of Bradford Stadium.
However, both sides will ultimately have to settle for a share of the spoils upon hearing the full-time whistle.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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