Next in the series of looking at is 2014/15 League One opponents Bradford City who will visit Deepdale on Saturday 15th November.
Founded: 1903
Nickname: The Bantams
Stadium: Valley Parade
Manager: Phil Parkinson
Last Season: 11th in League One
Bradford were League Two Play-Off winners in 2013 and were tipped to do well in League One, after a seven year absence.
They had a flying start to the season with six wins and three draws from their first nine games under manager Phil Parkinson, who has been at the Club since the summer of 2011.
Despite the good start, they suffered a dramatic dip in form and went on to win just one of their next 20 games in the league.
Though the wins returned towards the end of the season, it was too little too late with regards to a Play-Off push, but most were happy with a top half finish in their first year back in League One. This year, the Bantams boss will be hoping to build on his foundations of last season and make a sustained push for promotion.
It will be a game that new North End signing Kyel Reid will be looking forward to when he faces his former teammates, after spending three successful years with the Bantams.
In the two games between Bradford and PNE last season, there was nothing between the sides in terms of points. The first was under the lights at Deepdale in October with James Hanson giving the visitors the lead on just five minutes, but goals either side of half time from Tom Clarke and Bailey Wright put North End 2-1 up. Just five minutes after Wright’s goal, Rory McArdle equalised in an end to end game.
The two sides then faced each other in January at Valley Parade but neither side could break the deadlock. This year Simon Grayson will be hoping his side can come out winners when they face each other again.
The return fixture this season will be played on Easter Monday on 6th April, between two home games against Rochdale and Bristol City.
Parkinson has already been busy this summer, signing Middlesbrough midfielder Matthew Dolan on a one-year deal. Billy Knott has also agreed to join Bradford on a two-year deal from Premier League side Sunderland and Gary Liddle has joined from Notts County.
Defender Alan Sheehan has also swapped Meadow Lane for Valley Parade, joining the Bantams on a two year deal, while striker Billy Clarke has also joined the Club from fellow League One side Crawley Town on a two-year contract.
They will be hoping this is enough to improve on last year’s standings this campaign.
SkyBet Odds
League One Winner – 40/1
Promotion – 14/1
Relegation – 2/1
Odds are subject to change
Make sure you place your bets at www.PNEBetting.com to ensure your club benefit from your flutter.
Below is a map so you can plan your route to and from Valley Parade to follow North End.