8th August 2009
The wait is finally over. The first game of the season is finally here.
For the second year running, City will once again kick off their season against Notts County, although the Magpies side that lines up at Meadow Lane tomorrow will be much different to that which made the journey up to West Yorkshire twelve months ago.
Summer signings Luke Rodgers, Karl Hawley and Lee Hughes are just three new options available to County boss Ian McParland and there is a huge weight of expectation now on County, who struggled in the lower reaches of the table last season.
The eye-catching appointment of Sven-Goran Eriksson as Director of Football that followed their takeover by a Middle Eastern consortium has thrust them into the media limelight and they seem certain to break their average attendance from last season, which stood at a mere 4,446, but they must have improved drastically from last season to live up to expectations and it is possible Bradford may spoil Sven’s party tomorrow afternoon. Bradford will think back to Stuart McCall's homecoming in 2007 when Francis Green and Macclesfield failed to read the script and ground out a deserved 1-1 draw. This time round it may be City that play party poopers.
Although Bradford disappointed themselves last season they still finished twenty points clear of Notts County and have a side more than capable of beating County. In fact, the Bantams have held the upper hand between the two sides in McCall’s time in charge. In 2007/8 City ran out 3-1 (Meadow Lane) and 3-0 (Valley Parade) winners, whilst last season they won 2-1 (Valley Parade) but lost 3-1 in Nottingham.
One man that has enjoyed playing in those fixtures is Peter Thorne. He has netted in all four fixtures, netting seven goals in total, and he must be itching to line up again here as he looks to start the season in rampant goalscoring mood as he did last term.
Apart from a long-term injury to Omar Daley, Stuart McCall has pretty much a full strength team to choose from and that is likely to mean that debuts are handed to Simon Eastwood in goal, Simon Ramsden at right back and Michael Flynn in central midfield. Fit again Chris Brandon will be like a new signing on the wing and Michael Boulding, who has taken a pay-cut to stay with City and who has rebuffed interest from Notts County over the summer, is likely to be Thorne’s strike partner. Even without the departed Nicky Law and Dean Furman that is still a strong team in its own right and I think the value lies in opposing Notts County tomorrow.
Bradford are a best priced 3/1 (Ladbrokes) for the win whilst the draw is 5/2 with the same firm, so dutching at those prices would ensure a return of just over 5/6 for the pair coupled. However, better odds are available elsewhere and although the Bradford/draw on the double chance is 867/1000 with Ladbrokes, laying them on Betfair at the minute, where the backers are queuing up for some 2.06, offers the best means of opposing County.
Lay Notts County at 2.06 (Betfair)
Peter Thorne anytime goalscorer at 12/5 (Skybet)
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