Newcastle United begin the defence of their EFL Cup crown as they welcome League One leaders Bradford City to Tyneside.
EFL Cup
Our Three Predictions For Newcastle United vs Bradford City
- Prediction 1 – Will Osula To Score – 20/21
- Prediction 2 – Over 2.5 Goals Scored – 2/5
- Prediction 3 – Newcastle United To Win – 2/17
First Prediction For Newcastle United vs Bradford City – Will Osula To Score – 20/21
With all the issues Newcastle United have had with forwards over this summer, it has handed former Sheffield United player Will Osula chances to prove himself to Eddie Howe. Yoanne Wissa is yet to make his debut for the Magpies and Nick Woltemade has been the first choice forward in the Premier League, meaning Osula may be put in from the start at St. James’ Park. The striker has already delivered for the club this season, scoring the equaliser against Liverpool, and should get the service with Anthony Gordon now available to play following his three-match suspension against the Reds. While Bradford could see club hero and Newcastle fan Andy Cook make his first start and be a likely goal threat for them, it is the Danish forward who has the best chance.
Second Prediction For Newcastle United vs Bradford City – Over 2.5 Goals Scored – 2/5
United have struggled for goals but playing against lower league opposition could revitalise their attack, especially with the quality in depth that Eddie Howe has at his disposal. Anthony Gordon will have another chance at regular minutes and scored last midweek against Barcelona in the Champions League, and last season saw great goal returns from Jacob Murphy and Harvey Barnes from out wide. Bradford have done brilliantly to dispatch their opponents as of late with their earlier cup wins against Stoke City and Blackburn Rovers being prime examples. The Bantams have had issues keeping clean sheets though which bodes well for goals at either end of the pitch.
Third Prediction For Newcastle United vs Bradford City – Newcastle United To Win – 2/17
Bradford City have completed cupsets in both of their matches so far this campaign and have the opportunity to progress into the fourth round for the first time since their memorable 2012/13 cup run which saw them reach the final as a League Two side. Wins over Huddersfield Town and Cardiff City mean confidence is brimming heading into this match and they will feel good about claiming another result, but face a beast of a Newcastle United side which will want to once again win this competition. With a wealth of attacking options to pick from, Eddie Howe should have the tools to break down this well-regimented Bradford side, but will have to work hard for a victory.
Best Odds For Newcastle United vs Bradford City
| Bookmaker | Newcastle United | Draw | Bradford City |
| Betarno | 2/17 | 15/2 | 16/1 |
| Gentleman Jim | 1/8 | 7/1 | 14/1 |
| Myriadplay | 1/10 | 7/1 | 14/1 |
Full Preview Of The Game: Last Results And Head-To-Head
Newcastle United enter the EFL Cup at the third round due to their involvement in the UEFA Champions League. The Magpies have had six games across their season so far, but have lagged behind in many of their performances, which could be chalked down to the transfer saga surrounding last season’s top scorer, Alexander Isak, who eventually made a £125 million move to Liverpool on Deadline Day. Newcastle have won just once this season, against the Premier League’s bottom side in Wolverhampton Wanderers. They played on Sunday, playing out a goalless draw against AFC Bournemouth away from home.
Bradford City have beaten Championship opposition twice to get to this stage of the EFL Cup, beating Blackburn Rovers in the first round and taking out Stoke City, both away from home. Graham Alexander’s side have taken much of League One by surprise over the past couple of weeks, with wins over title favourites Cardiff City and Huddersfield Town in their last two matches, both ending in a 3-1 scoreline. Saturday saw them run rampant in the Welsh capital, with Tommy Leigh, Antoni Sarcevic and Josh Neufville scoring. They have won four of their last five, with the only blip coming in a loss away at Doncaster Rovers.
This is the first competitive match between these sides since Bradford’s relegation from the Premier League in 2001, with Newcastle winning two, drawing one and losing one of those fixtures. Newcastle have an overall lead in history between these sides with 20 wins to Bradford’s 14. These two sides were also the competitors in the 1911 FA Cup final, which Bradford won in a replay, their only major honour in the club’s history.
Confrontation
24/09/2025
League Cup League Cup
Newcastle
Bradford City
4
1
Last Results - Newcastle 
04/03/2026
Premier League Premier League
Newcastle
Manchester Utd
2
1
W
28/02/2026
Premier League Premier League
Newcastle
Everton
2
3
L
24/02/2026
UEFA Champions League UEFA Champions League
Newcastle
Qarabag
3
2
W
21/02/2026
Premier League Premier League
Manchester City
Newcastle
2
1
L
18/02/2026
UEFA Champions League UEFA Champions League
Qarabag
Newcastle
1
6
W
Last Results - Bradford City
28/02/2026
League One League One
Reading
Bradford City
2
1
L
24/02/2026
League One League One
Bradford City
Rotherham
1
0
W
21/02/2026
League One League One
AFC Wimbledon
Bradford City
3
1
L
17/02/2026
League One League One
Bradford City
Stockport County
1
0
W
14/02/2026
League One League One
Bradford City
Peterborough
2
0
W
Where To Watch Newcastle United vs Bradford City
Where can I watch the game, either on TV or in person?
- Location: St. James’ Park, Newcastle Upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, NE1 4ST
- Date: September 24th, 2025
This game is available to watch in the UK on Sky Sports +, with kick-off at 7:45 pm.
Probable Lineups For Newcastle United vs Bradford City
What sort of lineup can we expect from this important League Two clash?
Predicted Newcastle United Lineup
- Lineup: Ramsdale; Trippier, Lascelles, Thiaw, Ashby; Willock, Joelinton, Guimaraes; Gordon, Osula, Barnes
- Injured/Suspended: Schar, Wissa, Ramsey
- Manager: Eddie Howe
Predicted Bradford City Lineup
- Lineup: Walker; Pennington, Baldwin, Touray; Neufville, Sarcevic, Power, Wright; Leigh; Swan, Cook
- Injured/Suspended: Richards
- Manager: Graham Alexander
Media Centre – News About Newcastle United vs Bradford City
