Bradford Bulls still searching for first home win as they face Batley Bulldogs

 

 

Fresh off a challenge cup victory, Bradford Bulls will be looking to get their first home win of the season as they welcome Batley Bulldogs to Odsal on Sunday.

The 34-8 win in the Challenge Cup at London last week was far from comfortable for the majority of the game but the Bulls turned the gears and ran out winners earning a tie in the next round against Leigh Centurions.

Before last week’s Challenge Cup success, the Bulls had started the season poorly, with back to back defeats to Leigh and Sheffield Eagles.

Head Coach John Kear will be looking to gain some consistency however to challenge for the play-offs and a spot in Super League.

Opponents from down the M62, Batley Bulldogs, however had a brilliant start to the season, winning three out of the four games played so far.

A convincing 66-6 win against Royal Navy last week in the Challenge Cup got Craig Lingard’s side into the next round of the cup.

Besides this, the Bulldogs have enjoyed victories over Newcastle and Halifax and in both games Batley scored five tries or more.

Lingard will be hoping his side can be up there in the push for Super League. Batley did reach the semi-finals of the playoffs last season but were defeated by eventual champions Toulouse Olympique.

 

Team News

The Bulls have two new faces set to make their debut on Sunday, Jarrod O’Connor and Liam Tindall have joined on loan from neighbours Leeds Rhinos ahead Sunday’s clash.

After returning from injury last week, Elliot Hall is included to make his league debut for Bradford against his old club Batley.

Another face who returned to the 21 man squad last week was Jordan Lilley who will be hoping to make his return on Sunday after missing out on the matchday squad.

Jack Blagbrough and Luke Blake return to the matchday squad for Batley after sitting out of the Challenge Cup fixture last week. They take Johnny Campbell and James Brown’s place.

Key man Tom Gilmore will be hoping to add to his magic that helped Batley to a play-off victory over Bulls last season. He was a key part of the game and proved influential in Batley’s win that day.

Head to Head

In the last five competitive meetings between the sides the Bulls have come out on top, winning three of the last five meetings with Batley winning two.

As mentioned last time out the sides met in the Championship play-offs quarter final where Batley ran out 23-10 winners.

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