Defeat, though, would move the visitors within two points – and leave Graham Alexander’s men at the mercy of their rivals who all play tomorrow.
Notts County, who currently sit in sixth, won 3-0 at Meadow Lane in December and did the double last season – scoring seven goals in the process.
Here’s what Alexander has had to say going into tonight’s televised showdown at the University of Bradford Stadium.
Is there an extra score to settle after the three previous losses during your time in charge?
“Not really from last season. The first game was only my second one here and I was getting to know the team.
“We started with a formation we’d played the week before and quickly at half-time we changed it and have not gone back. I realised this group of players was more suited to something else.
“I thought we actually started well in the second one last season but conceded against the run of play. Then we were in that moment where it just wasn’t happening for us during that month.
“I see this season’s game as more of a reference point for this team. My history is irrelevant for them – I couldn’t tell you what my record is against Notts County over the last 10 or 12 years.
“We addressed a couple of things tactically after that game for our benefit going forward, which we have put in place since then and been much better in certain aspects of what cost us goals that day.
“I reviewed that game just to get an idea again about what we did and what they did. I’d almost forgotten how quick the goals happened – three in four minutes in a mad little spell.
“We started that game reasonably well but Notts County are a team who can score against anybody because they’ve got such attacking talent.
City conceded three in quick succession at Notts County (Image: Thomas Gadd)
“But I believe we are a much better team than when we played them at that stage and much more comfortable in our skin.
“We’re much more fluid in how we play and we’re obviously looking for a positive result. I don’t see any reason why my team can’t do that.”
Has it become a bigger test defensively after what happened in last week’s game?
“The goals came in the Swindon game when we had 10 men and two of them were own-goals. That can happen at any time.
“It was a difficult enough game from that perspective because Swindon were playing with nothing to lose. They are mid-table and can gamble with no jeopardy.
“I think it’s different at this stage for teams at the top end of the table or the bottom.
“We’re aware of Notts County’s goal-scoring attributes and abilities. I think we have just as good goal-scoring players and attacking attributes, we just haven’t had them on the pitch enough this season.
“We’ve had really difficult injuries to a lot of our attacking talent and I think it’s hit our overall goal output over the course of the season. But we’re still really high up there for xG and reasonably okay on goals scored.
“I think it’s two good teams that do like to attack and I believe will go for it. I can’t talk for their manager or team, but we will play the way we always want to.”
Can you put down a marker for the other teams watching on TV by playing the day before?
“I don’t think like that. There have been several fixture dates when other teams have kicked off early or we have.
“It’s never been part of my approach going into that game.
“We’ve been accustomed to being consistent with our preparation. I did feel if we did that from day one of preseason, then when we got down to this stage our mindsets would be pretty consistent going into it.
“We wouldn’t suddenly have to get ourselves up to big pressure games.
“We’ve been approaching the games like that from day one. Ultimately, as we’ve said many times, a Bradford City team playing at Valley Parade in League Two is always under pressure to win.
“The pressure is on us to win games regardless of what situation is happening elsewhere is always there and the players have become used to it.
“If there’s a team who should be used to that spotlight, it’s us.
“Going into the season, we were speaking about the historical difficulty of playing at Valley Parade for a Bradford City player.
“I think the players have put that to bed and shown the wherewithal and mindset to be focused on the job in hand.
“Whoever’s watching is irrelevant to us. We could be playing in front of one man and his dog and I want that intensity.
“We train that way and there’s nobody watching and we’re going hell for leather against each other. That’s just the norm for this team.
“But it’s a good opportunity again to show what a good team we are.”
Would you say it’s a promotion mini-season now?
“It comes down to this bottleneck of four games and the teams who win the most points in that spell.
“We’re ahead of other teams, who are playing catch-up and we’re still trying to chase down the team in front of us.
“But we’ve learned how to get to the top of the mountain. It’s one step at a time, you can’t just skip a few and jump to the top.
“You have to go step by step. It’s the next game each time.
“I know there’s talk and speculation and everyone’s trying to second-guess every result and who will finish with what.
“I don’t think anyone’s got it right over the last seven games, which is why I’ve never tried because I know how football is.
“I just focus on my team. I think I’ve got a good team here, a motivated and inspired team that want to justify the support we’ve got this season with results.
“We’ve got a great opportunity and everyone in the top six or seven will be saying similar things. But we’ve been there for a consistent amount of time and we’ve turned out results for the last 12-13 months.
“If we maximise our potential or get close to it, then we’ve got as good a chance as any.”
Do you expect the battle to go the distance?
“This season will go to the wire. Let’s get our heads around it.
“Nothing will be comfortable and we have to go all the way to the finishing line. We don’t know when that is.
“We don’t know what the journey will look like in the next three or four games.
“But ultimately, I believe this squad has shown it’s good enough to be successful.
“We didn’t know what the last eight months would look like. Look at the journey we’ve already been on and the hurdles we’ve faced and overcome.
“I think the same will happen over the next few games and we have to be ready for whatever comes our way.”
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