In what could be a preview of one of May’s playoff tussles, Bradford City welcome Stockport County to Valley Parade at a critical point in their top-six ambitions.
Fourth-placed County sit a solitary point ahead of their hosts on Tuesday night, with a win for either likely to strengthen hopes to make the playoffs with Reading and Bolton Wanderers both battling it out at the same time.
The State Of Play
After a series of stumbles which effectively ended their hopes of an automatic promotion, Bradford City found solid ground in the wake of a busy transfer deadline day, bringing in both Paul Mullin and Ethan Wheatley to bolster their attacking options.
However, the biggest boost that Graham Alexander’s side have recieved in recent weeks was the return of Antoni Sarcevic, who made a brilliant impact on his first start back to injury to lift the Bantams to a convincing win over Peterborough United.
City with Antoni Sarcevic this season (all comps):
P27 W15 D7 L5 – 55% win rateCity without Antoni Sarcevic this season (all comps)
P11 W4 D0 L7 – 36% win rateArguably #bcafc‘s most influential and important player. ⭐️ pic.twitter.com/YtoyPv9PtA
— Bantams Heritage (@BantamsHeritage) February 15, 2026
That continued Bradford’s status as being hard to beat at Valley Parade, losing just twice in their own backyard all season against Cardiff City and Burton Albion.
Stockport have continued to run well since the new year, losing just one game in 2026 and are currently enjoying an eight-game unbeaten run ahead of their travels across the Pennines.
While they may be hindered with tackling an EFL Trophy game against Port Vale, Dave Challinor’s side have been red-hot on the road this campaign, with only league leaders Cardiff City holding a better record than the Hatters.
City will be optimistic in being able to do a double over Stockport, with perhaps the Yorkshire side putting out their best display of the season at Edgeley Park in a comeback win.
Tactical Themes
After concerns that Graham Alexander’s 3-4-2-1 formation was being figured out by League One sides as of late across a spate of losses, it seems that their new additions in Kayden Jackson, Mullin and Wheatley have given a new lease of life for his tactics.
Offensive struggles characterised their recent poor form, most notably in their trouncing at the hands of Lincoln City, in which the Bantams registered just two shots all night at Sincil Bank, perhaps giving some encouragement to the Stockport backline.
County meanwhile should be able to feel they can have the better of the Bradford defence, especially since the return of Isaac Olaofe to support Kyle Wootton in what has been an electric season for the latter.
Fully deserved 👏
Kyle Wootton has been named PFA Fans’ League One Player of the Month for January 🫡#StockportCounty
— Stockport County (@StockportCounty) February 11, 2026
However, their biggest battle could come in controlling the middle of the park, with Ollie Norwood and likely Owen Bailey facing a very tough clash against the City pair of Max Power and Jenson Metcalfe.
Metcalfe in particular has been a revelation, with his record in winning possession in the final third being one of the best in League One. Norwood is likely the best to take the 21-year-old and perhaps counteract his effectiveness, having been one of the best chance creators in the division.
Yesterday vs Peterborough United, Bradford City’s Jenson Metcalfe recovered possession for his side 18 times – the most by any player in a match across England’s top four tiers this season.
A star in the making ⭐️ #bcafc pic.twitter.com/rDLFlVX4p9
— Nathan (@nathanevans94) February 15, 2026
Team News Snapshot
County will continue to have to contend without wing-back Josh Dacres-Cogley, who will serve his match ban from his red card against Leyton Orient after being unavailable for their EFL Trophy match due to being cup-tied.
Josh Stokes is likely to be nursed back into the side after occasional absences, while it will be some time before Deadline Day signing Louie Barry can get back to fitness and make his second debut for the Hatters.
Bradford are hopeful to see Louie Sibley return from an ankle issue, but otherwise have a near-clean bill of health beside that of Nick Powell, who has remained absent since their late September EFL Cup tie against Newcastle United.
The Deck Verdict
In what will be a tight game between two of the best teams in League One, we could certainly have the match of midweek on our hands.
Both teams’ attacking outputs have been fairly impressive this campaign, which could point to both teams getting on the board at some point on the night.
However, Bradford’s home form and facing a hostile atmosphere at Valley Parade may be what undoes Stockport County’s chances on the night, handing City a very narrow win to increase their playoff hopes.