Bradford vs Notts County Prediction: County looking to stop New Year rot

Bradford’s play-off hopes have taken a knock with two straight defeats but they’ll hope to bounce back at home to a Notts County team in freefall.

After a run of just one defeat in nine games in League Two, the Bantams have now lost back-to-back to find themselves in 15th, although County are now two places below them, having won just one game in 2024 so far. Kick-off 19.45, Tuesday, March 19.

Team news

City defender Jonathan Tomkinson is away on international duty. Brad Halliday and top scorer Andy Cook, surprisingly left out of the 5-1 drubbing by Mansfield, should be recalled.

Scott Robertson can return to the base of County’s midfield after a one-match ban. There is no word on the availability of 12-goal David McGoldrick after injury.

Andy Cook first scorer @ 4/1

It’s not easy having faith in either Bradford City or Notts County, two of League Two’s big-hitters who were being talked up as title challengers at the start of term.

Bradford have never really recovered from a terrible start and their recent mini-revival has been brutally halted by a pair of Valley Parade setbacks against Forest Green (2-0) and Mansfield (5-1).

County, incredibly the division’s second highest scorers but also the worst defenders, have simply gone into freefall under Stuart Maynard’s tutelage. Since the turn of the year they have collected just six points out of a possible 36 and the promotion odds-on shots in October now find themselves nearer the bottom two than the top seven.

City boss Graham Alexander bristled at accusations of a selection blunder by leaving top scorer Andy Cook on the bench against Mansfield, though the Stags would have won handsomely anyway so superior were they to Bradford.

Cook is 33 years old but the 15-goal man can be sure of a recall on Tuesday and has to be confident of finding the net - just as he did when he came off the bench on Saturday.

County have conceded a dismal 72 goals this term, are without a clean sheet this year and haven’t shut out an opponent on their travels since September.

Notts County most corners @ 5/4

County have lost their attacking flair since Luke Williams left though they are still adventurous enough to pile up corners.

The Magpies managed five in Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Accrington and only four teams average more corners. Indeed, only Wrexham average more corners on the road than County, who collect 5.5 corners a game away from home.

That’s more than Bradford do at home (5.1) so County at 5/4 to win most corners looks a spot of value.

Match Odds

Bradford City are one loss away from a hat-trick of Valley Parade defeats in the past seven days though they are still 9/10 to win this game.

County are 5/2 to chalk up a second win of 2024 with the draw at 5/2.

The Magpies’ matches average 3.9 goals a time - the most in League Two - and over 3.5 goals is a 13/8 chance.

Football betting tips from Betfred Insights.