Our prediction for this League 2 match:
Bradford City and Carlisle United square off against each other at Valley Parade in what is expected to be a close encounter. The Bantams are eager to stay in the playoffs berth, but Saturday’s game will be anything but a walk in the park for the home side. Keep in mind that Jamie Walker is banned for the match following his sending off in a goalless draw with AFC Wimbledon.
The Cumbrians, on the other hand, aim to build on a 2-0 win over Newport County. A man to keep an eye on in the away team will be Kristian Dennis, who has been impressive in front of goal of late. With no fresh injury worries to report, head coach Paul Simpson is unlikely to make changes to the team that defeated the Exiles. Anyhow, we believe that there is a big value in betting on draw as the two teams seem to be evenly matched.
Highlighted Player (Tomas Holy):
Born in the town of Rychnov nad Kneznou, Czechoslovakia, Tomas Holy is a Czech professional footballer who plays as a Goalkeeper for Ipswich Town in League One. The 27-year-old was born on the 10th of December, 1991, and joined FC Hradec Kralove's youth academy in 2006. After spending four years with them, he signed for Sparta Prague and started playing for its B team.
His first professional appearance for AC Sparta Prague B came on the 11th of June, 2011, in a 1-2 home loss against FK Varnsdorf. He went on to ply his trade-in Czech football for the next six years before moving to Gillingham in England on the 20th of January, 2017, on a two and a half year contract. Gillingham's manager praised the 2.06m tall goalkeeper's "large presence" and "ball-kicking ability," stating them as reasons behind his recruitment. In his time at Gillingham, Holy made 107 appearances and kept 25 clean sheets in all competitions.
On the 24th of May, 2019, Holy joined Ipswich on a free transfer and made an immediate impact. He kept six clean sheets in his first ten league games for Ipswich, including a run of five consecutive clean sheets, a club record. Internationally, Holy has capped at the under-16, under-17, and under-18 level for his country but is yet to receive a call up for the first team.
Highlighted Team (Carlisle):
Founded in May 1904, Carlisle United are a professional football club that have one of the biggest stadiums in the League 2. Brunton Park is the club’s home ground, and it can hold up to 18,202 spectators. When playing at Brunton Park Carlisle United footballers wear blue shirts and blue shorts, while their away kit is sky blue.
The Cumbrians maintain a rivalry with Workington And Barrow, but it has to be noted that the two clubs have not met in the Football League since the 1970s. Carlisle United won their first Football League Trophy in the 1996/97 season, with the team beating Colchester United 4-3 on penalties.
The Cumbrians repeated the success 14 years later (2010/11) as they defeated Brentford 1-0, thanks to Peter Michael Murphy’s goal. Carlisle United recorded their biggest win against Hartlepool United (8-0) on September 1, 1928, with the team suffering their heaviest defeat to Hull City (1-11) on January 14, 1939.