Bradford City vs Barnsley
EFL Trophy
Tuesday
21st November 2023
University of Bradford Stadium
The most comprehensive preview and detailed analysis of the EFL Trophy fixture between Bradford City and Barnsley.
Bradford City vs Barnsley: Preview
Bradford City form analysis
Bradford’s recent run of games has showcased occasional attacking sparks but generally struggled defensively conceding cheap goals. They started with an expected heavy 1-4 away loss at MK Dons in the EFL Trophy, pulling one back through Gilliead but ripped apart after a slow start. Problems at the back remained evident next match despite rallying in a 1-2 home loss to Sutton, equalizing before a late winner after more sloppy play.
Back came the goals in attack in Bradford’s next match, comfortably dispatching Man City’s U21s 3-0 at home in the EFL Trophy thanks to a Smith hat-trick. However, defensive issues persisted in a 1-2 home loss to Wycombe in the FA Cup despite Walker’s strike, caught out twice by direct play. Most recently they lost another tight affair 1-2 at home to Barrow, equalizing through Smith but undone again by slack set piece defending. Overall, Bradford must tighten up defensively if their clear threat from set pieces is to translate into better results this season.
Barnsley form analysis
Barnsley’s recent run of games has showcased attacking endeavors and powers of recovery but also recurring issues seeing out results. They started with an emphatic 3-0 home win over Shrewsbury in the EFL Trophy thanks to goals from Kane, Styles and Cole. However, problems surfaced in their next match as they drew 2-2 at home with Fleetwood, equalizing twice through Cole and O’Keeffe but made to pay for slack defending.
Back came more issues managing a lead in the FA Cup despite rallying from two down to draw 3-3 at home with minnows Horsham, with goals from Watters, Jaló and de Gevigney before conceding late. Barnsley’s defensive struggles continued in their next match, well beaten 0-3 away at Derby after more sloppy play at the back. They ended this run by progressing in the FA Cup replay, comfortably beating Horsham 3-0 away thanks to goals from Cadden, McAtee and another McAtee strike. Overall, Barnsley must learn to better control matches when ahead rather than having to continually come from behind.
