A hostile atmosphere awaits Peterborough United at Bradford City as does a striker who almost came to London Road instead of Ivan Toney

City’s season-long promotion-push has faltered in recent weeks. ‘The Bantams’ have lost four of their last five League One games, although only one of the losses was at home, against leaders Cardiff City.

Remarkably, given Posh have still lost more games (15) than they’ve won (14), City are only five points ahead of Luke Williams’ side heading into Saturday’s game. Posh have played two games more.

The average home gate at City’s League One matches this season is 20,687, a figure bettered only by Bolton Wanderers. City have won 10 and lost just two of 14 home games. Surprisingly Burton Albion were the other team to win a game at Valley Parade in November.

Alexander told the Bradford Telegraph and Argus: “I know our record is fantastic over the last two years, or 18 months at least, but it doesn't guarantee us winning going forward.

“It creates a feeling and an environment that everyone wants to be in, if you are a Bradford City employee or supporter, and it's difficult for away teams because of the results.

“We love playing at Valley Parade. It's a great venue, but we have to understand that it's not the stadium that wins the game.”

SLIDING DOORS

Bradford City signed striker Kayden Jackson on a free transfer from Derby County in January. Jackson was on his way from Accrington Stanley to sign for Posh when Steve Evans was manager at London Road, but Ipswich Town hijacked the move. Posh ended up signing Ivan Toney from Newcastle instead and he turned out okay.

Jackson hasn’t scored a goal in 23 appearances this season, 21 of them for Derby.

OTHERS TO WATCH

City also signed strikers Paul Mullin and Ethan Wheatley on loan from Wrexham and Manchester United respectively last month. Wheatley (20) scored three goals in a loan spell with Cobblers earlier this season.

But City’s top goal-scorers in League One matches are attacking midfielders Antoni Sarcevic and Bobby Pointon with seven goals apiece, a smaller number than Posh players Harry Leonard (10) and Kyrell Lisbie (9).

City are well stocked for forwards though as Stephen Humphreys is also at Valley Parade after moving across Yorkshire from Barnsley in the summer.

PAST MATCHES

Saturday is the first meeting between Bradford City and Posh in a Football League game since March 2019 when a home side heading for a bottom placed finish in League One won 3-1 against a team chasing the play-offs. It was 0-0 after 70 minutes with Marcus Maddison scoring a consolation penalty for Posh in the 89th minute.

Posh last won this fixture on Boxing Day, 2017 when goals from Jack Marriott (2) and Danny Lloyd secured a 3-1 win. Ex-Posh man Paul Taylor replied for the home side.

Posh have only won the fixture three times in 19 clashes, 2-0 in September 2015 which was Graham Westley's first game as manager, and 4-1 in January 1973 when John Cozens struck a hat-trick. Jim Hall also scored in that game with Lee Angol and Chris Forrester on target in 2015.

MAN IN THE MIDDLE

Championship referee Sam Allison is in charge of Bradford v Posh on Saturday. Allison also has Premier League experience. He last reffed Posh when Leeds United won 3-0 at London Road in an FA Cup tie in January 2024.

BIG MATCH ODDS

Posh are 5-2 to win at Bradford City with Sky Bet on Saturday. The hosts are even money with the draw priced at 5-2.