Bradford City will be looking to kick-start their 2021/22 campaign this weekend when they host Rochdale at the Utilita Energy Stadium.

After finishing 15th in League Two last season, the Bantams would have been hoping to push on under the guidance of manager Derek Adams during the opening stages of the current term.

However, Bradford have ultimately failed to deliver the goods on a consistent basis in recent months as they have only won three of their nine league games.

Having witnessed his side suffer a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Crawley Town last weekend, Adams may decide to make some alterations to his starting eleven tomorrow.

Here, we take a look at how the Bantams could line up against Rochdale...

Having utilised the 4-2-3-1 formation in the club's clashes with Crawley, Salford City and Barrow, Adams may opt to stick with this particular set up on Saturday.

Goalkeeper Richard O'Donnell will be looking to claim his second clean-sheet of the season against Rochdale.

Meanwhile, central-defenders Fiacre Kelleher and Paudie O'Connor will be tasked with providing protection to O'Donnell.

 

 

Liam Ridehalgh and Oscar Threlkeld will feature in the full-back positions whilst Yann Songo'o and Elliot Watt will line up in defensive midfield for the Bantams.

Alex Gilliead will be tasked with providing some creativity on the right-hand side of midfield whilst Callum Cooke will operate in the hole behind striker Andy Cook.

Having missed the club's clash with Crawley due to injury, Charles Vernam will be available for selection tomorrow after Adams confirmed that the 24-year-old trained with the rest of his side on Thursday.

Particularly impressive during Bradford's 3-2 victory over Mansfield earlier this season, the winger managed to score in this game as he recorded a WhoScored match rating of 8.20.

If Vernam is able to replicate this performance in Saturday's showdown with Rochdale, he could potentially help his side leapfrog their opponents in the League Two standings by securing all three points in this fixture.