Fleetwood v Bradford: Bantams relieved to avoid New Year’s Day

Bradford City, in common with the rest of League One, will face two games in a little over 48 hours as the West Yorkshire outfit travel to Fleetwood Town today and then host Notts County on Sunday.

Then, though, the Bantams are not in action for almost a full week with the FA Cup third round tie at Millwall on January 3 their next assignment.

Parkinson said: “It is a big help not to have a New Year’s Day game. You have to manage your squad at this stage of year anyway, and especially with two games in such a short space of time.

“But having New Year’s Day blank will help us all.

“I notice the Premier League have a full programme so it will be interesting to see how they approach this week, even with their big squads.”

City travel to the Lancashire coast buoyed by an unbeaten seven-game run.

Bradford will, though, be without Billy Clarke, a key factor in that run with three goals, due to injury.

Parkinson added: “Fleetwood have done well and had a good start to the season. They have players who are as good as anyone at this level but we have to go there and make sure we picked a balanced team, especially with Billy being out.”

Last six games: Fleetwood Town LWLLDD, Bradford City WDWWWD.

Referee: C Sarginson (Staffordshire).

Last time: Fleetwood Town Bradford City : January, 2006; League Two.