THREE points will be the only thing on Avenue fans minds this weekend when they host Gloucester City at Horsfall.

The battle to beat the drop will be firmly on if Mark Bower's men can gain victory in this six-pointer over a relegation rival.

Here’s all the news, analysis and insight that you need ahead of Saturday’s Vanarama National League North 3pm kick-off.

Form Guide

It is nine without a win for Bradford who sit 12 points away from safety with a grim goal difference of -54.

Although there were some positives to take from their last outing at Southport, the 3-3 draw meant they had scored more than once for only the fifth time this season.

Gloucester are the ones just above that safety line in 20th, three points ahead of second-bottom Blyth Spartans.

City have been on a similar run to Avenue, losing their last five which included a 6-1 smashing at Alfreton Town, they have also not recorded three points on the road since November.

Bower’s thoughts: It's the biggest game of our season

"We've got to win the game, that's our only thought going into it.

"We're at the point now where we've got be winning games to stand any chance of staying up. If we lose this one, you're going to need miracles.

"Everyone's focused on winning but we're really looking forward to it, as everyone believes we're better than our results show.

"We would hope to go on a little run if we win this one, just to back up last week's draw at Southport. It's our biggest game of the season by a million miles."

Team News

Despite wanting too, Bower has unable to dip into the transfer market and will be missing new signing Stelios Demetriou after his late sending over in Merseyside.

For the visitors, they will be missing top scorer Joe Hanks who has netted on 10 occasions in the league this campaign.

James Rowe will also be missing the injured duo of Jack Senior and Spencer Hamilton.

Possible line-ups

BPA: Nicholson, Toulson, Priestley, Hughes, Lund, Clee, Hibbs, Hall, Hurst, Knight, Clare

Gloucester: Maher, Pennell, James, Thomas, Daley, Brunt, Robert, Allen, Kotwica, McClure, Mensah

Battle to watch: Clare v McClure

Tom Clare proved at Southport that when presented with the opportunity he has the potential to be a huge threat.

If he can continue his link up play and finishing, he could definitely add to his tally of three goals in an Avenue shirt.

McClure was brought in at the start of 2020 and will use his football league experience of being at Wycombe for over six years to lead the attack.

Billy Priestly and Liam Hughes may have another big test coming their way if the forward can find some form for his new team.

Head to Head

Avenue narrowly lead the win column from the 12 meetings between the sides, with a solid five victories.

Bradford had held an unbeaten record over the Worcestershire side at Horsfall until 2016 but the yellows have been victorious on their last two visits to West Yorkshire.

A couple of wins at The Spiers & Hartwell Jubilee Stadium make the rest of their success in this fixture.

The 3-3 draw in 2014 goes down as the most entertaining encounter.

The teams have already met twice this campaign with Gloucester stealing the spoils in the league fixture thanks to a Hanks goal, while a depleted Avenue gained a passage through to the next round of the FA Trophy with a 2-0 away win.