The Bulls travel to Valley Parade on Saturday for a crucial match with Bradford City.
The two sides rarely met until the past five years, when they have been paired in the same basement division four times. The Bulls have had the better of those encounters, winning four and drawing one of the seven games in the recent seasons. The Bulls will be looking to complete a rare double having beaten the Bantams 2-0 at Edgar Street in October, with late goals from Steven Leslie and Tom Barkhuisen providing some rare cheer at home.
The Bantams' change of manager hasn't entirely improved their season. Phil Parkinson has won eight of 31 games in charge so far, lifting the Yorkshire club only a couple of places in the table. Their home record is far better than their away form, having won five, drawn five, and lost five at Valley Parade. They have also scored twice the goals at home as they have on their travels. They are currently six games unbeaten on home soil, but their overall form shows only one win from their last six matches. Top scorer James Hanson will miss the game with a groin tear, leaving forward Craig Fagan and midfielder Michael Flynn their top netters with four goals each.
The Bulls travel North in desperate need of a result over a side only four points ahead of them. Boss Jamie Pitman will again travel without Joe Heath, Stefan Stam, Benoit Dalibard, and Richard Peniket with none of them expected to be fit until mid-March. New arrivial Byron Anthony slotted into the defence last week to good effect alongside the rejuvenated Michael Townsend, but the Bulls still have to cut out the silly errors that are still costing them deal. Up front, Nathan Elder's substitution was loudly booed against Swindon with the tireless effort appreciated by the crowd, but a fit again Delroy Facey is an option to start against one of his many former sides. The 31 year old played six times for the Bantams on loan from Bolton nine years ago.
Bradford City vs Hereford United, Valley Parade, Saturday 25th February, 3.00pm.