Tournament – EFL Carabao Cup;
Date – 26/09/2023;
Kick-Off – 19:45 GMT;
Venue – Valley Parade (Bradford).
Bradford have been very much about the draws while Middlesbrough have made up for their league form with the wins in the cup, handicapping Bradford is the safe way to go.
Both teams have scored in both of Bradford’s EFL Cup games this season, Middlesbrough on the other hand have conceded in every game they’ve played this season.
Bradford while being the lesser of the two sides in this tie, considering they are in the English tier four, are the ones in better form, are the underdogs of the tie, having won three, drawn four and lost two of their opening nine matches in League Two, placing them in 11th position on the table. Draws have been a common feature of Bradford games this season, having had four draws in the league, they followed that up with two in their two games so far in the EFL Cup, and in both games they ended up winning on penalties, beating Accrington Stanley and Wrexham.
Middlesbrough are going through a tumultuous time in the league, winning just one of their eight games in the Championship so far (W1, D2, L5), results that have landed them in the relegation mix as they are currently occupying the 22nd position. Michael Carrick’s shocking league start does not extend to the EFL Cup though, where they have won Huddersfield and Bolton to advance to the third round.
Bradford: Lewis, Ridehaigh, Stubbs, Platt, Haliday, Tulloch, McDonald, Gilliead, Odour, Cook, Walker
Middlesbrough: Dieng, van den Berg, Fry, Lenihan, O’Brien, Howson, Hackney, Jones, Crooks, McGree, Coburn.
This game will be played at Valley Parade (Bradford).
Kick-off time is 19:45 GMT. 26.09.2023.