Our prediction for this League 2 match:
Brunton Park will host the League Two playoffs clash between Carlisle United and Bradford City. The Cumbrians aim to overcome a one-goal deficit in the tie with the Bantams and they are likely to adopt an attack-minded approach in the second leg. Midfielder Jonathan Mellish has yet to serve his ban, while experienced forward Kristian Dennis should be recalled to the starting XI.
The visitors, on the other hand, are eager to defend their slim lead in Saturday’s clash. Barring any fresh injury worries, Mark Hughes is unlikely to make changes to the team that defeated the Cumbrians at the weekend. Anyhow, a close encounter is on the cards at Brunton Park and we believe that there is a big value in betting on draw. Harry Chapman and Vadaine Oliver continue to miss out with injuries, speaking of the visiting side.
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 (Bradford):
Founded back in 1903, Bradford City are professional football club that compete in League Two. The Bantams are well known for their claret and amber shirts, whereas white is the dominant colour of their away kit. Bradford City maintain rivalries with Leeds United and Huddersfield Town, with the teams facing each other in the West Yorkshire derby.
The Bantams participated in the Bradford derby with local rivals Bradford Park Avenue in the past. Bradford City did remarkably well to win the FA Cup in 1911, with the team beating Newcastle United in the final. In 2013 the club made it to the League Cup final, where they suffered a heavy 5-0 loss to Swansea City in the title game.
Saint Kitts and Nevis international Ces Poss is the player with most appearances (502) for the club, while former Northern Ireland attacker Bobby Campbell is sitting in the top position in the Bradford City all-time top goalscorers list.