Bradford City vs Rotherham United: Crucial Yorkshire Derby at University of Bradford Stadium

Introduction: A Tale of Two Seasons

A significant Yorkshire derby takes place on Saturday 10th January 2026 as Bradford City welcome Rotherham United to the University of Bradford Stadium. This League One encounter carries immense importance for both clubs, with the hosts sitting third in pursuit of the automatic promotion spots, while their visitors have dropped into the bottom four in the midst of a losing run. The contrasting fortunes of these two sides make this more than just a local rivalry – it’s a match that could define both teams’ seasons.

Bradford City’s Promotion Push

Bradford City sit third having amassed 46 points from their 24 outings, winning 13 of those and only suffering a league-low tally of four defeats. The Bantams have been in excellent form, with Graham Alexander’s men winning five of their last seven league games and three of their four since Christmas. Most recently, they secured a 2-1 victory against Blackpool on 4 January 2026. Impressively, Bradford City trail second-placed Lincoln City by two points with a game in hand, and lead the rest of the teams in the playoff spots by seven points, positioning them strongly for automatic promotion back to the Championship.

Rotherham’s Relegation Battle

In stark contrast, Rotherham United find themselves in serious trouble. After enjoying a nine-game unbeaten streak between early October and late November to move onto 24 points from 18 outings, the Millers have endured a catastrophic collapse. They have failed to add another point to that tally in six attempts since, with their most recent defeat coming 2-0 at home to Peterborough on New Year’s Day. Rotherham have dropped into the relegation zone, and manager Matt Hamshaw faces mounting pressure to reverse this alarming slide.

Match Significance and Outlook

The fixture represents vastly different challenges for both sides. For Bradford, victory would strengthen their automatic promotion bid and potentially move them into the top two. For Rotherham, ending their six-match losing streak is essential to reignite their survival hopes. The previous meeting between these sides in October 2025 ended with a scoreline of 2:2, but current form heavily favours the hosts. With Bradford boasting home advantage and momentum, while Rotherham struggle with injuries and confidence issues, this Yorkshire derby could prove pivotal in shaping the final League One table come May.