Dean Smith reckons Walsall will match up

The League One promotion rivals go head-to-head at the Banks's Stadium, with Phil Parkinson's Bantams having kept a clean sheet in their last seven fixtures.

Smith's Saddlers enter the game desperate to get back to winning ways, after impressive performances against Sheffield United and Swindon yielded just a single point.

But the Saddlers boss is positive his side will get back on the victory trail tomorrow, saying: "The football we play, for me, is very good and we keep creating chances.

"We haven't got what we've deserved from the last two games, but we are confident we will win the game.

"We knew this was going to be a tough period – it's five games in 15 days but the performances against Sheffield United and Swindon can't be faulted, they have been brilliant.

"When we were playing like that earlier in the season we were winning games.

"Bradford are on a really good run, are 10 games unbeaten and they have got some really good players.

"It's going to be a really tough game at the Banks's but we can draw on a lot of positives from our last two performances."

Smith also issued a rallying cry to ensure Saddlers' fans do their bit.

He said: "The fans have been very patient during games. You are not always going to score in the first 10-15 minutes.

"We went two goals down to Gillingham but I still thought we were the better team, at the time.

"The supporters helped inspire us to get back into the game and in my opinion to go on and be justifiable winners. We just want them to keep behind the players."

Meanwhile, midfielder Sam Mantom stepped up his return from injury by featuring for the reserves on Wednesday night.

The 23-year-old, who picked up an ankle sprain against Chesterfield on October 17, played 70 minutes as the Saddlers lost 2-1 to Stratford Town in the second round of the Birmingham Senior Cup.