Following our triumph over Tranmere Rovers, we are on our travels again with a trip to Bradford City in the Carabao Cup.
This will be the Bantams’ first taste of competitive action for the new season, after their fourth-placed finish last term in League One, losing out to the eventual playoff winners Bolton Wanderers in the semi-finals.
ADMISSION DETAILS
Tickets for the game are on sale via our ticketing site Fanbase.
These are now on general sale, following an original 48-hour period for Season Ticket holders to purchase. Dale fans are housed in the Bradford Lifts Stand with entrance via turnstiles E7-E12.
Supporters can also pay by card at the turnstiles on matchday. Click HERE for the full details.
FOLLOW THE ACTION
The match will be shown live on Sky Sports +, alongside every single Round One tie across the weekend.
Dale Player continues for the new season. We have recently partnered with Urban Zoo, allowing all supporters based in the UK & Ireland to listen to live audio commentary of every Dale match, across all competitions.
Supporters who have subscribed to Dale Player in our previous two seasons must sign up with a new account.
Click HERE to sign up for monthly or yearly passes.
PRE-MATCH INTERVIEW
Head Coach Ian Watson joined BBC Radio Manchester’s Total Sport show on Thursday evening, discussing the tie, but also injuries, recruitment and more.
Dale welcomed two new faces this week, with Jonny Smith and Dajaune Brown joining the squad. You can hear from both players on our YouTube channel.
TEAM NEWS
It was confirmed at last week’s game that Will Jenkins has suffered a ruptured ACL and will miss the 2026/27 campaign, whilst Casey Pettit will miss several months with an MCL injury.
Sam Beckwith will also not feature following his hamstring injury, with Laurence Maguire remaining out of action, although both are nearing a return.
Kaiden Wilson returned to training this week and is expected to be involved in the matchday squad.
THE OPPOSITION
Overview – After six years in League Two, Bradford achieved promotion back to the third tier last summer, and came close to achieving back-to-back promotions in the 2025/26 campaign. After finishing 4th in League One, they were narrowly beaten in the playoffs by 5th placed Bolton Wanderers, who went on to win promotion to the Championship.
Manager – Graham Alexander has been in charge of the Bantams since November 2023, achieving a dramatic promotion from League Two in 2025, with an added time goal securing 3rd place. Following a long and successful playing career at Scunthorpe United, Luton Town, Preston North End and Burnley, Alexander entered management in 2012 with Fleetwood Town. He won promotion with the Cod Army in 2014, as he did in charge of Salford City five years later. His third promotion then came with Bradford in 2025.
Last Game – Salford City 2-2 Bradford City – pre-season friendly.
Top League Goalscorer (2025/26) – Antoni Sarcevic (11).
New Signings
Jon McCracken (GK)
Callum Connolly (RB)
Macaulay Gillespie (LB)
Henry Cartwright (CM)
Adam Phillips (CM)
Jake Beesley (ST)
PLAYED FOR BOTH
Ryan East is the only current Dale player who has played a competitive game for both ourselves and Bradford City. Our number four made 26 appearances in all competitions for the Bantams in the 2022/23 campaign before joining Dale in August 2023. He has gone on to make 141 appearances with us, scoring 13 times and playing a pivotal part in our last three seasons, which culminated in promotion at Wembley Stadium
Bradford do have a former Dale strike partnership in their ranks, in the form of Stephen Humphrys and Jake Beesley. Humphrys joined the West Yorkshire outfit last summer and has made 46 appearances, whilst Beesley joined this summer and could make his competitive debut on Saturday.
WE’VE MET BEFORE
Games Played – 100
Rochdale Wins – 29
Draws – 22
Bradford Wins – 49
Most recent matchup – Dale 0-3 Bradford City (15th April 2023)
First ever matchup – Dale 3-3 Bradford City (19th November 1927)
MBANQ VALLEY PARADE
Our hosts have provided a helpful Visiting Supporters Guide which includes travel, food and drink and much more. Click HERE to access.
OFFICIALS
Referee | Declan Brown.
Assistants | Mark Dwyer & Graeme Fyvie.
Fourth Official | Danny Guest.
