Bradford City boss Mark Hughes says he backs his team to win a "huge" and evenly-matched contest with Carlisle United tonight.
The Bantams boss says there is little to separate his sixth-placed side and Paul Simpson’s fourth-placed Blues.
While United are targeting second place this evening, Hughes’ hosts can make their own serious inroads in the promotion race with victory at Valley Parade.
Hughes says he respects Carlisle for their high-flying efforts and consistency so far but is hoping for a better outcome than Boxing Day, when Bradford lost 1-0 at Brunton Park.
“They’ve been consistent, they’ve scored goals and spread them around as well,” Hughes said of the Blues.
“We went up there and didn’t play particularly well. Having said that, we still could have come away with a result. We were very much in the game.
“I don’t think there is a huge difference in the levels that both teams can produce.
“We’re very close obviously because we’re at the top end of the league. We’ll back ourselves against them.”
Bradford have drawn their last three games, but are unbeaten in six and have lost just once in 12 - that defeat coming against Barrow on February 18.
They will start the evening five points adrift of the Blues.
“We’re banging out results, although we’d obviously have preferred a win rather than a draw at the weekend,” said Hughes, whose side twice came from behind to draw 2-2 with struggling Hartlepool United.
READ MORE: Simmo on Blues' bid to overcome Bradford and their ex-Blues goal ace
“[Paul Simpson] is getting consistent results [at Carlisle] but then, in fairness, almost everybody who is still trying to get into the automatics or the play-offs is doing that.
“The consistency of those teams is really high, ourselves included, so it’s very difficult to pull away.
“We’ve just got to keep in touch and we’re certainly doing that. See where it takes us.”
Hughes has not ruled out making changes following Bradford’s recent exertions.
He added: “We’ll look at it. I said prior to the weekend our output and what we’re producing in terms of metres run and high-energy stuff like sprints is really at a high level.
“It will have an impact and the quick turnaround obviously comes into my thinking as well.
“We’ll look at it and we’ll see how they are. If I feel we need to make changes, I will.
“It’s a huge game for us given where both teams are. We need to go again.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here