Our prediction for this EFL Cup match:
Bradford
Match Time & Date:
26/09/2023
20:45
Prediction: 1-2
Middlesbrough
Bradford City and Middlesbrough face each other at in the EFL Cup last 32 at Valley Parade. The Bantams are brimming with confidence following a 4-1 win at Newport County, but despite being on a six-game unbeaten run in all competitions, Mark Hughes’ men are seen as underdogs in Tuesday’s clash. A man to keep an eye on in the home team will be experienced forward Andy Cook, who scored a hat-trick in the triumph over the Exiles.
The Boro, on the other hand, desperately needed a win against Southampton and they managed to get one. Middlesbrough finally registered their first triumph of the process and given their signs of improvement in front of goal, over 2.5 goals betting option should be considered. There are no fresh injury worries in the visiting team, but defender Anfernee Dijksteel remains in the recovery room.
Highlighted Player (Paddy McNair):
Following in the footsteps of his compatriot Jonny Evans, Paddy McNair joined the Manchester United academy in 2011 and he was surprisingly handed first team debut by Louis van Gaal at the start of the 2014/2015 season.
Despite his fragile age, the talented central defender has been putting in some very mature performances ever since, and everything suggests he could go on to become an important player at Old Trafford in years to come. After representing a number of youth sides, McNair made his first appearance for the Northern Ireland senior national team in a March 2015 friendly vs Scotland, before making another three outings as his side secured their place at the Euro 2016 finals.
Northern Ireland coach Michael O’Neill surprisingly played McNair in holding midfield in the March 2016 friendly vs Wales. After the youngster impressed in the middle of the park, O’Neill went on to suggest that the Manchester United starlet may be used in midfield rather than defence in years to come in the national team.
Highlighted Team (Bradford):
Founded back in 1903, Bradford City are professional football club that compete in League Two. The Bantams are well known for their claret and amber shirts, whereas white is the dominant colour of their away kit. Bradford City maintain rivalries with Leeds United and Huddersfield Town, with the teams facing each other in the West Yorkshire derby.
The Bantams participated in the Bradford derby with local rivals Bradford Park Avenue in the past. Bradford City did remarkably well to win the FA Cup in 1911, with the team beating Newcastle United in the final. In 2013 the club made it to the League Cup final, where they suffered a heavy 5-0 loss to Swansea City in the title game.
Saint Kitts and Nevis international Ces Poss is the player with most appearances (502) for the club, while former Northern Ireland attacker Bobby Campbell is sitting in the top position in the Bradford City all-time top goalscorers list.
Brighton
Southampton
Barcelona
Las Palmas 
Crystal Palace
Newcastle 
Borussia Dortmund 
Bayern Munich 
West Ham
Arsenal
Chelsea 
Aston Villa 
