Match Previews

MATCH PREVIEW | BRADFORD CITY V LUTON TOWN

The Hatters will be hoping to move as much as six points clear of second place in Sky Bet League One this evening when they take on Bradford City at Valley Parade.

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There is a full third tier fixture schedule tonight, notably, with second placed Barnsley taking on third placed Sunderland at Oakwell.

Bradford have recently appointed former Blackpool boss Gary Bowyer, who oversaw the Bantams' first win in six games at the weekend – a thoroughly impressive 3-1 victory over Peterborough United.

A win this evening for the hosts would drag them towards safety – a goal they are currently four points shy of.

Mick Harford's team will be hoping to make it 24 league games unbeaten, their last defeat coming back in October at Barnsley.

Supporters who aren't attending tonight's game can watch it live on iFollow Hatters with a match pass!

MICK HARFORD SAYS:

On Gary Bowyer and Bradford: "I know his father better! But Gary has done a good job wherever he has been, he went in there and changed the shape of the team – it looks like they're playing with a bit of freedom. They have got some good players, I believe they're in a false position, he played a certain shape on Saturday.

"I am not sure what he will do, but he's gone in there and got a great result against Peterborough. So they're a threat. They have got some experienced players. We will make our players aware of their strengths and weaknesses and hopefully go up there, put in a good performance and get a victory."

On Danny Hylton's booking on Saturday: "We're going to have a sit down today (yesterday) myself and Danny, we'll have a chat about it. Things got put to bed on the way home on the coach. As I have said if it happened to any other player in those circumstances, I thought the first booking was a bit soft, Danny got a little bit frustrated and Danny's, Danny. We know what he's about, he plays on the edge and it looked like the referee could have done something if he committed another foul, so I thought it was the right decision to take him off and move forward.

"That's the way he plays, he plays on the edge, we all like Danny playing on the edge. I love players who play on the edge, the likes of Roy Keane and people like that. They do play on the edge, but you run the risk of getting into trouble, so you run the risk but Danny's a big player for us.

"I wouldn't want to lose his physicality, absolutely not. The way he backs in, the way he holds the ball up, the way he brings other people into play, I wouldn't want to lose that from him. In the last two games he's played, he started the game, very, very well. Rochdale, he started the game well, got his goal, Saturday, he started the game well, looked a threat. He was happy to run in behind, happy to hold the ball up, so we're more than happy with Danny."

WHO?

The Bantams won promotion from League Two in 2013 via the play-offs – the same campaign they reached the League Cup final. They've flirted with going up to the second tier since then, twice reaching the play-offs, but losing on both occasions. An 11th placed finish last season saw Stuart McCall be replaced by Simon Grayson, who was then replaced by Michael Collins. Anthony Hopkins was then put in charge before he stepped down, making way for Bowyer.

WHEN AND WHERE?

Kick-off is at 7.45pm at Valley Parade on Tuesday 12th March.

MAN IN THE MIDDLE?

Tonight's game will be refereed my Michael Salisbury, who has overseen 34 games, dishing out 97 yellow cards and four red cards.

TICKET INFORMATION

Tickets for this game have come off sale from the LTFC Ticket Office, but will be available for purchase on the night at Bradford, at an increase of £5 for adult tickets.

PLAYED BEFORE?

The Hatters last took on Bradford back in November, when the Town cruised to a 4-0 win. In total, the Hatters have won on seven occasions, drawn seven and lost four.

FOLLOW THE ACTION

The main blow-by-blow account of the action from Valley Parade will be provided via the Match Centre on the club website, which you can access by clicking here. (*Please note that the club's Live Text will appear only by accessing through an internet browser, users of the Luton Town FC app will receive updates from Opta)The main moments from the game will appear on the Hatters' social media feeds:Twitter – @LutonTownFacebook – www.facebook.com/LutonTown/Instagram – www.instagram.com/ltfc_official/

And of course Simon Pitts will be on hand to provide commentary for iFollow Hatters which you can subscribe to by clicking here.

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