ALL you need to know ahead of Bradford (Park Avenue)'s Vanarama National League North match with Alfreton Town.

Kick-off: Saturday, November 7 (1pm)

Venue: Horsfall Stadium

Odds: Bradford 13/8, Alfreton 11/8, Draw 11/5

Opponent profile

Alfreton have been a constant at Step Two over the last 15 years. A brief period at the summit of non-league was enjoyed in the early 2010s.

Ex-Bradford City manager Nicky Law, who was linked with the Avenue job in 2008, led the ship for almost a decade before leaving to head Burnley's national recruitment for under 17-23s.

Billy Heath joined in 2018 after taking FC Halifax Town up to the Vanarama National League, and has achieved consecutive lower mid-table finishes for the Reds.

Current positions: 13th v 9th

Form guide

It has been a steady start for Park Avenue compared to last year's disastrous beginning. Four points from 12 is not unbelievable form but it is something to build on.

The Chorley stalemate showed they can dig deep to earn a result even with several key players missing.

Town are undefeated from their four matches, including hard fought draws against playoff contenders Spennymoor Town and leaders AFC Fylde.

Like Bradford, Alfreton spent a period in isolation through October which forced them to withdraw from the Emirates FA Cup.

Team news

It has been panic stations for Bradford who are bare to say the least up top.

With Tabish Hussain, Adam Nowakowski, Oli Johnson and Brad Dockerty all likely to be out, new signing Omar Sanyang is a shoo-in to start in the front three.

Conor Branson returns to Horsfall, while latest addition Will Atkinson has football league experience at the likes of Bradford City and Southend United.

Possible line-ups

Avenue

GK Dan Atkinson, RB Mark Ross, CB Mitch Lund, CB Luca Havern (C), LB Harry Boyes, CM Nicky Clee, CM Jake Hibbs CM Isaac Marriott, RW Lewis Knight, ST Jamie Lyons, LW Omar Sanyang.

Subs: Will Huffer, Ryan Toulson, Jordan Windass, Matty Downing.

Alfreton

GK George Willis, RB Will Atkinson CB James Jones, CB Toby Lees, LB Nathan Fox, CM Conor Branson, CM Dan Bradley (C), CM Danny Clarke, RW Bobby Johnson, ST Elliot Reeves, LW Nicky Walker.

Subs: Adam Lund, Dominic Smith, Josh Clackstone, Michael Williams, Alfie Smith-Eccles.

Battle to watch: Lund v Reeves

After being converted to a centre half late last season, Lund has not looked back.

The 24-year-old looked solid against champions Kings Lynn Town last term, and has continued this time out by forming a great partnership with Havern.

The former Doncaster Rovers defender will have to be on top form to stop Reeves. The forward grabbed an equaliser against Fylde to make it two goals in four appearances.

Head to head

The pair have been facing each other since 2003. It has been pretty even-stevens with Bradford only edging the record by one win (W5, L4, D4).

Avenue grabbed a respectable point the last time the visitors travelled up to West Yorkshire in early 2019. Havern's 88th-minute equalised cancelled out Reece Styche's opener.

In their latest meeting, an Amari Morgan-Smith double helped Alfreton put down a marker last season in their 4-0 win at North Street.