Five games to go: it doesn’t sound like a lot – probably because it isn’t – but if all goes to plan from now until the end of the season then the Bantams will lock down that all important playoff place and enter the lottery of knockout football.
Unfortunately, automatic promotion looks out of the question, despite the side sitting just seven points behind second-placed Bolton Wanderers.
The Trotters boast a game in hand on City and are also unbeaten in their last eight league games, so Bradford's focus should firmly be on securing that playoff place first.
Of the four sides currently occupying the playoff places, it is Southend United who are hitting form at the right time.
Phil Brown’s men have won their last four games in a row, and with Millwall in seventh holding a game in hand over the Bantams, things could get a little uncomfortable as we approach the season's end.
The run-in
Up next for Bradford in the league is an away trip to Bury, with the football betting odds currently trading at 1/1 for City to pick up the win. I think we can reasonably expect the Bantams to get something out of the game, with Lee Clark’s side languishing in 17th and dangerously close to the relegation zone.
After Bury, we are back at home against plucky Oxford United, a side who themselves may be eyeing a last-minute charge to the playoffs in ninth.
After hammering Bury 5-1 last time out (and the pain of losing to Coventry City in the EFL Trophy last weekend), there is reason to be cautious against the U’s; however, with home advantage, anything less than a point will be deemed unacceptable.
All of this leads us to what will no doubt be Bradford's toughest test of the season, a trip to league leaders Sheffield United. The Blades are all but guaranteed promotion and will no doubt have secured it by the time we travel the short distance to the Steel City.
The Bantam's final two games against AFC Wimbledon and Rochdale will prove pivotal, and if all goes well they will have picked up at least four points from the likes of Bury, Oxford and Sheffield United, leaving them on 73 points with just two games to go.
Last season, the final playoff place was secured by Barnsley, who ended the season on 74 points, meaning Bradford would have two games to get at least one point.
Both AFC Wimbledon and Rochdale occupy mid-table with little to play for and there is little reason to fear either side.
City face the Dons at home and I would be confident of Bradford claiming the win and thus ensuring a playoff place with a game to spare.
What happens during the playoffs, however, is a totally different ball game; the aforementioned Barnsley were the victors last season despite only squeezing in thanks to goal difference, at the expense of Scunthorpe.
Bradford may not have the best recent playoff record but you have to be in it to win it.
Five games to go? Make that eight.
Images - "Bradford - Gillingham" by Ungry Young Man
