Oxford make the trip up to Valley Parade this weekend for the first time since last season’s drubbing. Fortunately we go there in good form, though Bradford will also be a stronger proposition than they were when they visited the Kassam back in August, when they claimed a 1-1 draw. Here’s Matt Peck with the stats.
THE NUMBERS
Form (League)
Bradford: WDWLD (8 pts)
Oxford: DWDWD (9pts)
Times played (at Bradford): 14
Wins
Bradford: 6
Oxford: 4
Draws: 4
Goals
Bradford: 21
Oxford: 17
Last league Result (At Bradford): (30 October 2010)
Bradford 5 v 0 Oxford
Daley (48, 57)
Hendrie (66)
Syers (87)
Feghouli( 90)
Reverse Fixture: Oxford 1 – 1 Bradford
OTHER STATS
Last season’s visit to Valley Parade was a tough one for Oxford United. After a solid first half where either side could have taken the game, the U’s capitulated in the second, conceding two quick goals and then a penalty to make it 3-0 to the hosts. Things were made worse for Oxford when in the space of two minutes, both Wright and Creighton were sent off, leaving Oxford to face (now 10-man) Bradford for the remainder of the game. It ended 5-0.
This was Oxford’s heaviest defeat since the game at Rushden in November 2007, where they also lost by five goals. This wasn’t the first time Chris Wilder has managed a team on the receiving end of a heavy defeat. Halifax Town also lost by five to Rushden in 2002, and they lost to Hereford 7-1 in November 2003.
Similarly, Bradford haven’t won by five since their victory over the U’s. They did beat Barnet by four goals last month.
Oxford are now unbeaten in eight, and have only lost once in their last 15 games. With an odd rhythm starting to develop whereby they win one, then draw one, doing this since their 1-1 draw with Burton. If this is to be maintained, Oxford should win on Saturday!
Bradford have suffered in the last decade. Their brief spell in the Premier League ended in 2001, finishing bottom with 26 points. A steady decline has followed until they reached League Two in 2007 where they have remained a mid table outfit, the closest they came to promotion was in 2008/09, where they missed the play offs by 3 points. The last two seasons it has been more about avoiding relegation than challenging for promotion.
After meeting consistently since the 1960s, there was an 11-year gap between meetings since 1999.
Bradford have enjoyed this fixture marginally more, winning 43% of the time, but have only scored four more goals than Oxford.
Deane Smalley, who has been with Bradford on loan this year will be ineligible to play for Bradford against Oxford.
Of the four draws this fixture has produced, 3 of them have been 0-0.
Follow @mattp2490
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