Bradford City v Crewe Alex 24/25 Preview - Bumper Crowd

A 3pm kick off. What even is one of those? It's crazy to think it's been almost a month since their last one at Salford. But, unlike that game, this one doesn't project to be as warm, as a chilly blast looks to be blowing through. I hope the Alex can warm their travelling fans up, as we head into the final 6 games of the season with their promotion hopes still very much in the balance. Here is my preview of their visit to Bradford:

Higher or Lower?

No, I'm not doing my best Bruce Forsyth impression. I'm wondering out loud whether this crowd will surpass the one seen at this stadium 2 weeks ago when the Bantams took on Colchester in front of 23,381 fans. On the one hand, local interest is bound to have increased since that game, as the Bantams are now just 2 points off the top and a win in this one coupled with a Walsall defeat would see them go 1st. But at the same time, they weren't able to sell out the stadium when the tickets were £5, so will they see higher numbers now that this game is £10? I'm genuinely curious to see the turnout.

Improve

The Alex went through a nice spell of enjoying their visits to Valley Parade. Between 2007 and 2011, they won 3 straight games. However, since their 5-1 win in 2011, their fortunes have been less good. In their last 6 games at this stadium, they've gone 0-2-4, with just 3 goals scored, all of them in their crazy 3-3 draw in 2014. Their last 4 visits have seen them fail to score. It would be nice if they could end that poor run.

Formidable

However, in their way is the side with the best home record in the division. Bradford's achilles heel for years has been their home form. In each of their last 4 seasons, they failed to win even 10 games at Valley Parade. Well, they've solved that issue and then some this season. They have 15 wins already and still have 3 left to play. They have scored the 2nd most goals and conceded the fewest.

Walsall, Port Vale, Grimsby, Colchester and Chesterfield have all come and left with nothing. If the Alex can take something out of this game, it'll be their best away result of the season by far.

Midfield Battle

My biggest concern for this game comes in the midfield battle. Both sides are strong defensively and perhaps a little lacking in quality in forward areas. But where Bradford have strength is in their midfielders. In Smallwood, Lapslie, Pattison, Khela, Walker and Pointon, they have a strong core of players who've been the reason why they've risen into the top 3 and are now challenging for the title.

But if the Alex set up like they usually do, with virtually no midfield, I do worry they'll get overrun by the names mentioned above.

Poor Form

No, I'm not referring to the Alex on this one, although their form remains a concern. This time I'm talking about Bradford. Tuesday's defeat to Port Vale was their 3rd defeat in their last 5 games after losing that many in their previous 21. They've also failed to score in 4 of those games, drawing blanks against Gillingham, Tranmere, Accrington and the Vale. Those first 3 aren't exactly good teams either.

They've hit a bumpy a spell at the worst possible time and I wonder if the Alex can capitalise on that and come away with a point or 3?

Big Crowd

Another point in their favour is that they seemingly enjoy playing in front of big away crowds. Look at the top 10 teams for average attendances this season and you'll see the Alex have visited 9 of them. They are 1-7-1 in those games, with the sole defeat being that 3-0 at Wimbledon, which as we all know was swung on Jamie Knight-Lebel's penalty and red card.

Yes, they've found it hard to win many on the road at the bigger teams, but they've done a damn good job at avoiding defeats. Let's hope they can round off this run with a positive result.

Ref Watch

Adam Herczeg

Herczeg is another ref who I always think has been around for a decade, but this is only his 3rd season in the EFL. He's used to doing Crewe v Bradford games, with this being his 2nd after the 3-2 Alex win at the end of the 22-23 season. Hopefully we'll see a similar result in this game.

2024/25 Record: 31 games(6 Championship, 12 League One, 9 League Two, 1 League Cup, 2 FA Cup, 1 EFL Trophy), 116 yellows, 4 reds

Last Game: Reading 3-1 Peterborough, EFL League One, 29th March 2025, 4 yellows

Crewe Alex Record: 1-1-1, 5 yellows

Injuries/Absences

Bradford

We know the Bantams will be without Andy Cook after his ACL injury. Also absent is Antoni Sarcevic with a hamstring strain and defender Lewis Richards is out after undergoing shoulder surgery a few weeks ago.

Crewe Alex

The Alex have a few concerns building up. Conor Thomas' knock seems to be lingering on, Joel Tabiner missed Tuesday's game and now Matus Holicek was withdrawn at half time against Grimsby. Will any of those 3 make it back for this game?

Team

I liked what I saw on Tuesday against Grimsby, but I think it would be naive to assume Bell will go with such an open team again. Does he make changes and move to a more orthodox back 5 by putting Conway back out on the left? What does he do in midfield should Holicek not be fit to play, given his reluctance to use Powell and Sanders? Can he start all 3 of Lankester, Bogle and Long again, given all 3 carry injury concerns, for the 2nd time in 4 days, or in Long's case, his 3rd straight game in 8 days?

Personally, I hope they've got their game planning spot on for this game. They shouldn't be set up to deal with a big man like Andy Cook upfront, because Bradford don't have one. I'd also be prepared for them to pack the midfield, given their lack of brilliant attacking options. So, if you want to counter them, do the same.

Go 4-3-1-2, get your technical players in the team, try to boss the midfield battle and you'll be on to a winner. Yes, I would drop Long, because he has to be managed. Lankester moves behind Bogle and Hemmings, Sanders and Powell support Lowery in the middle, Conway moves to LB, Williams drops out(It'll never happen I know) and Billington replaces Cooney at RB.

Score Prediction

If Bradford turn up in the mood, they could demolish the Alex. Only 1 team since mid-December has gone to Valley Parade and come away with a result. But as ever, this Crewe Alex team look so much more comfortable on the road, where their off the ball, counter attack style is better suited. I'm going bullish and I'll say they come away with a well earned point.

Bradford City 1-1 Crewe Alexandra