Newcastle United kick off their Carabao Cup title defence with a third-round tie against Bradford City.
Victory would see Newcastle reach the fourth round for a fourth consecutive season, whilst Bradford look to move beyond this stage for the first time since their run to the final in 2012-13 season.
Team News
Anthony Gordon is available for Newcastle after he completed his domestic three-match suspension in their goalless draw at Bournemouth in the Premier League.
Jacob Ramsey (ankle), Yoane Wissa (knee) and Fabian Schar (concussion) remain ruled out.
Bradford could welcome midfielder, Alex Pattison back after he missed their 3-1 League One win at Cardiff due to concussion protocols.
Neill Byrne (knee), Lewis Richards (shoulder) and Calum Kavanagh (shin) remain ruled out.
When is Kick-Off?
Newcastle host Bradford at St James’ Park on Wednesday 24 September at 7:45pm BST, live on Sky Sports Football in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Newcastle have won four of five previous League Cup ties against Bradford (W4, L1).
- Bradford are yet to beat Newcastle away at St James’ Park in the League Cup (L3).
- Newcastle have kept just one clean sheet in their three home ties against Bradford in the League Cup.
- Since Eddie Howe took charge in October 2021, his Magpies won their only previous League Cup tie at home to lower league opposition in a 1-0 win at this stage last season over AFC Wimbledon.
- Will Swan has scored in both of Bradford’s two League Cup ties this season (W2).
Prediction
As reigning champions, all eyes will be on Newcastle to see how strong they go in terms of line-up given their recent struggles but a strong attacking display is needed after their tame goalless draw at Bournemouth.
Bradford meanwhile are one of the EFL’s best attacking teams and can’t be underestimated such is their form but clean sheets is their Achilles heel, so they need to be at their best defensively because the Magpies have enough quality to avoid a cupset if go for a strong starting eleven.
Nevertheless I expect a strong competitive game as Newcastle won’t want a premature end to their title defence, yet Bradford are a serious attacking team so this could go either way but I think the Magpies might just have too much at home.
Prediction: Newcastle 2-1 Bradford
Result: Newcastle 4-1 Bradford
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