Points To Prove
Bradford City v Newport County should be an interesting game for the neutral, as both sides have points to prove. Bradford City are currently the odds on 1/2 favourites, the draw 10/3, and Newport County 9/2.
The Exiles Need To Improve Away Form
For this game, Newport County come into it with the better recent form, so it’s a bit surprising to see them as big outsiders. The Exiles have won the last two games, beating Salford City 3-1 and Crewe Alexandra 2-1. Despite those positive results, they’ve come at home, and Newport’s away form has been poor, to say the least. The Welsh side have lost eight of their last 10 away games. Therefore, they need to step it up if they’re going to have any playoff ambitions this season.
No Place Like Home For Bradford
On the other hand, Bradford City have proved vulnerable at times this season. Despite their unbeaten home record at Valley Parade, they’ve been far from convincing. The Bantams have won just two of their last six games, and they only salvaged a last-minute equaliser to Morecambe Town last Tuesday, who are at the bottom of League Two. The Yorkshire side will also be missing some key players, with the likes of Alex Pattison and Antoni Sarcevic out. With that being the case, I think this will be a closer game than the betting suggests.
Overall, when it comes to my final thoughts on this game, I am swaying towards the draw at 10/3. With Bradford’s strong home record and Newport’s recent form, I think a draw would be a positive result for both teams. I also think Newport could get off to a fast start, as they’ve been ahead at half-time in each of their last two games. As a result, I’m happy to keep Newport County to lead 1-0 half-time at 13/2. Hopefully we get a good game before we get into the international break.
Bradford City v Newport County Selections
Draw (10/3)
Newport County To Lead 1-0 At Half-Time (13/2)