Oldham v Bradford City: City travelling not in hope but expectation

The Bantams have lost just once in seven away games this season and have collected 12 points. It is a total only Bristol City, with 15 points, and Leyton Orient, with 13, have topped.

Manager Phil Parkinson believes the strong team spirit and character of the City squad is behind this impressive return away from Valley Parade.

He said: “It is very important when you go away from home to have that togetherness.

“All our good results have been when the morale within the group has been a strong one.”

City’s liking for travel was underlined in midweek when they twice came from behind to claim a point at Bristol City, the club who boast the only remaining unbeaten record in the Football League.

Today, though, will not be much easier with Oldham Athletic boasting the third best home record in League One behind the Robins and Preston North End.

Bradford have already lost at Boundary Park this term, an 88th-minute goal by Jordan Bove settling a dour first-round tie in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy.

Parkinson will be without 
Andrew Davies, who was forced out of the draw with Bristol City with a recurrence of the calf problem that kept him out for nine games earlier in the season.

Stephen Darby returns from suspension, while James Hanson could also start.

The City manager is likely to keep Oldham guessing in terms of what system he opts to play.

For most of the season he has sent the Bantams out with a diamond formation, but at Ashton Gate he switched to a set-up with more width as Mark Yeates and Andy Halliday were played down the wings.