The Times points out this morning that it is 13 years since a team from outside the top six were in the top four in the Premier League at this time of the year. That team? Charlton Athletic.
But it's back to reality with a bantamweight contest today. We won 1-0 at Bradford last season and drew 0-0 the season before.
Charlton's latest signing Jamie Ward is expected to make his debut for the club. Ward joined on loan from Nottingham Forest on deadline day and has returned from international duty with Northern Ireland unscathed. Josh Cullen is available again after international duty with Republic of Ireland Under-21s and some fans think we missed him against Wycombe.
Bradford will be without Josh Wright and Kelvin Mellor for boss David Hopkin's first home game in charge against Lee Bowyer's Addicks. Midfielder Wright and defender Mellor both sustained hamstring injuries in last week's defeat at Blackpool. Defender, former Addick and Zimbabwe international Adam Chicksen has a possible hairline leg fracture and midfielder Hope Akpan is not ready to return following a shoulder injury.
Winger Sean Scannell (groin) is also still out, so Hopkin could hand starts to youngsters Lewis O'Brien and Jordan Gibson.
The big debate in Bradford is whether 'sorry is enough' to restore relations between the chairman and the fans: Restoring relations
Also big news is the opening of the first Pizza Express in the city.
Odds: Bradford 2/1, Draw 11/5, Charlton 29/20. Odds on promotion by any route: 8/1.
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