The Game
Argyle v Bradford. Home Park. Saturday, 29 August. 3pm. Sky Bet League One.
The Opposition
Bradford City have been the early pacesetters in Sky Bet League One this season. They are the only team in the division to have won both of their opening league fixtures, seeing off Peterborough United and Sheffield Wednesday.
The Bantams impressive start extends into cup competitions too, they have already beaten Rochdale and Burnley in the Carabao Cup this season. All of these victories in both league and cup have been to nil, meaning Graham Alexander's side are yet to concede a goal.
Therefore, they come to Home Park on Saturday as quite the opposition. This summer, Alexander was able to add quality to what was an already strong side which finished fourth last season. Jon McCracken, Callum Connolly, Macaulay Gillesphey, and Jake Beesley already seem key members of the Bantams' team despite only being signed in the last few months.
There is still a very long way to go in 2026/27, but Bradford supporters will be quietly optimistic after their strong start that the team can go one further this season, and make their return to the Championship after a 22-year hiatus.
The Gaffer
54-year-old Graham Alexander was a right-back throughout the majority of his playing career, featuring on the pitch for Scunthorpe United, Luton Town, Preston North End, and Burnley. The defender also represented his nation, receiving 40 caps for Scotland.
Upon retiring, Alexander spent a short period at Preston as Head of Youth Development, before leaving to become Fleetwood Town manager.
In his nearly three years at Highbury, Alexander led the Reds to promotion before eventually being sacked. Next came two seasons at Scunthorpe in which the Scot came close to another promotion, losing to Millwall in the League One play-off semi-final.
Ahead of the 2018/19 campaign, Alexander took charge at, then National League, Salford City. He led them to promotion at the first time of asking, but was sacked just over a year later. Next, Alexander had a stint in Scotland with Motherwell, which lasted just over a year before he returned to England to become MK Dons’ head coach. He was then sacked after just 16 games, despite winning League Two Manager of the Month four weeks previously.
Less than a month later, he was picked up by Bradford City, where he currently remains. In his nearly three years at Valley Parade, Alexander has achieved promotion out of League Two and boasts a win percentage of over 50%.
The Squad
Dynamic midfielder Antoni Sarcevic had academy spells with both Manchester City and Woodley Sports before turning professional with Crewe Alexandra. Sarcevic had further stints with Chester, Fleetwood Town, and Shrewsbury Town before pitching up at Argyle midway through the 2016/17 campaign. 132 appearances in three-and-a-half years followed, in which the playmaker led the Greens, twice, to promotion out of the fourth tier, establishing himself as a cult-hero. Fruitful spells with Bolton Wanderers and Stockport County came next before a move to Bradford City in 2024.
Another former Argyle promotion winner, Macaulay Gillesphey joined the Bantams this summer from Charlton Athletic. His career began at Newcastle United, before a move to Carlisle United in 2018. The following year he signed for Australian side Brisbane Roar, whom he joined Argyle from in 2021. Whilst at Home Park, Gillesphey featured 91 times, helping the Greens achieve promotion into the Championship. He was allowed to join Charlton in 2024, with his gametime limited at Argyle. He played his part in another League One promotion whilst with the Addicks, before moving to Braford in the hope of achieving that feat for a third time.
One of their own, Bobby Pointon progressed through the ranks at Bradford City before signing his first professional deal with the Bantams in 2022. Initial development loans followed with Brighouse Town, Farsley Celtic, and Liversedge before Pointon made his full debut for Bradford in 2023. Since then, the attacker has gone from strength to strength, scoring 22 times in 123 games. The 22-year-old played a vital role in City’s promotion during 2024/25, and has made the step-up to the third-tier appear seamless so far.
Previous Meeting
It was only back in April that the two sides last met. In a well-fought League One clash at University of Bradford Stadium, the game finished 1-1 after Brendan Wiredu's opener was cancelled out by Will Swan's strike, 18 minutes from time.
The Strip
Argyle will be wearing their green home kit for this game.
Argyle TV
Supporters unable to attend Argyle's Sky Bet League One fixture against Bradford City on Saturday can follow the action live on Argyle TV.
Our hour-long pre-match show will be live on Argyle TV and YouTube from 2pm.
2pm - Rob McNichol and Aaron Cusack are joined in the studio by Marc Edworthy for the Pre-Match Show, bringing you all the team news, exclusive interviews, and thoughts from inside the camp.
3pm - Kick-off at Home Park, with live commentary from Charlie Price, who will be joined on co-commentary by Marc Edworthy.
UK & Ireland Supporters:
Due to EFL broadcast regulations, live video streaming is unavailable in domestic territories. However, you can listen to every Argyle game live throughout the season with an Argyle TV subscription - available for £5.50 per month or £55 for the year.
If you’re not a subscriber, you can still purchase an individual audio match pass for £2.50.
International Supporters:
Live video streaming is available overseas - You can watch every Argyle game live with an Argyle TV International subscription, available for £30 per month or £200 for the year.
If you prefer, you can buy an individual video match pass for £10 per game.
Audio match passes are also available overseas for £2.50, giving you full commentary wherever you are in the world.
These are available worldwide, CLICK HERE for more information.
