Preview: Bradford City vs. Doncaster Rovers - prediction, team news, lineups

A place in the EFL Trophy semi-finals will be at stake when Bradford City play host to fellow Yorkshire side Doncaster Rovers on Tuesday.

The Bantams are featuring in the last eight for the first time since 2016-17, while the visitors are making their first quarter-final appearance since finishing runners-up in the 2006-07 season.

Match preview

Bradford have won just one of their last eight competitive matches since they beat Doncaster 3-1 in their previous recent head-to-head meeting in December.

Their sole victory in that period took place in their most EFL Trophy fixture against League One side Derby County.

After claiming a 1-0 win over the Rams in the last 16, Bradford went on to record victories against Colchester United and Salford City, before they fell to a 2-0 defeat to Swindon Town on Saturday.

As a result of their poor form, the Bantams are in 18th place in the League Two table and eight points adrift of the playoffs, but they will have to put their league struggles to one side as they focus on Tuesday's quarter-final.

The hosts can take confidence from the fact that they have won all three of the home games in the EFL Trophy this season, scoring 12 goals and conceding just once in those three matches.

Doncaster are competing in the quarter-finals after they beat Wigan Athletic on penalties in the last 16 of the EFL Trophy earlier this month.

Unfortunately for Rovers, they were unable to build upon that positive result, as they fell to a heavy 5-1 defeat in Saturday's home league clash with Stockport County.

The Yorkshire side conceded all five goals inside the opening hour, before Harrison Biggins netted a 65th-minute consolation, as Doncaster fell to a third consecutive league defeat.

Having collected 28 points from as many matches, Rovers are currently sitting in 22nd place in the fourth tier and seven points clear of the bottom two.

Although they may be fighting to retain their EFL status, Doncaster will now turn their focus to Tuesday's EFL Trophy clash, where they will attempt to claim their first away win since beating Accrington Stanley in extra time in November's FA Cup fixture.

Bradford City EFL Trophy form:

Bradford City form (all competitions):

Doncaster Rovers EFL Trophy form:

Doncaster Rovers form (all competitions):

Team News

Bradford are expected to be without Tyreik Wright for a couple of weeks after he picked up an injury against Salford last Tuesday.

Experienced shot-stopper Colin Doyle will replace Charlton Athletic loanee Sam Walker, who is ineligible for Tuesday's contest, having previously featured in the competition for his parent club.

Graham Alexander may be tempted to make a couple more changes, with Jonathan Tomkinson and Harry Chapman among those who could be considered for starting places.

As for the visitors, defender Bobby Faulkner is expected to be out for up to a month after twisting his ankle in training.

Jamie Sterry and Jack Senior were back working on the grass last week, but it remains to be seen whether they will be fit for Tuesday's contest.

Matthew Craig, Hakeeb Adelakun and Billy Waters are ineligible after previously appearing for other clubs in this season's EFL Trophy.

Bradford City possible starting lineup: Doyle; Tomkinson, Taylor, Stubbs; Halliday, Gilliead, Smallwood, Ridehalgh; Chapman, Oduor; Cook

Doncaster Rovers possible starting lineup: Jones; Nixon, Olowu, McGrath, Rowe; Bailey, Close, Biggins; Molyneux, Hurst, Ironside

We say: Bradford City 2-1 Doncaster Rovers

Bradford have already beaten Doncaster this season, and we think that they will claim another win against a side that has lost four of their last six away matches in all competitions.

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