Bradford City vs Blackburn Rovers Match Analysis and Prediction

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Bradford City will face Blackburn Rovers in the second round of the EFL Cup on Tuesday, with this tie marking the first time these sides have met competitively since March 2018.

Indeed, the hosts have set out to return to England’s third tier having competed in League Two for the past three seasons.

Mark Hughes, who managed forthcoming opponents Blackburn between 2004 and 2008 back when the were a Premier League side, is the man tasked with returning Bradford to a level the would understandably consider to be more benefiting of their historical status and 25,000 all-seated stadium.

Of course, Valley Parade is a tough place for any team to visit, as Championship side Hull City were beaten 2-1 in the previous round of this competition.

Bradford have not conceded in either game at home in the league this season, with their 3-1 victory away to Hartlepool United at the weekend taking them back into the top half of the table.

However, they can for now treat Tuesday’s cup tie as a free hit with less pressure on their shoulders than in league matches, even if they are a club who have consistently punched above their weight in cup competitions in recent years.

Meanwhile, Blackburn Rovers head to Bradford off the back of two consecutive away defeats in the Championship.

Following Tony Mowbray’s departure earlier this summer, Jon Dahl Tomasson made the perfect start to life as Blackburn manager, winning each of his first three league matches in charge as well as progressing in the EFL Cup by defeating Hartlepool 4-0 at Ewood Park.

However, the Rovers have crashed back down to earth in the past week, with two 3-0 defeats to Reading and Sheffield United showcasing that there is plenty of work ahead of the former Denmark striker this season.

Bradford City vs Blackburn Rovers head to head

The two sides have previously met on 24 occasions across all competitions, where Bradford have claimed seven victories while Blackburn have won 13, and they have drawn in four. Bradford have scored 24 goals and conceded 40. In their last five meetings, Blackburn have won three, Bradford one with one draw.

Blackburn Rovers 3-1 Bradford City 19/09/21

Bradford City 0-0 Blackburn Rovers 26/07/14

Bradford City 0-1 Blackburn Rovers 19/08/17

Blackburn Rovers 2-0 Bradford City 29/03/18

Bradford City 2-0 Blackburn Rovers 24/07/21

Bradford City latest home form

Bradford City have recently been on a relatively good run of form at home, having lost just one of their five most recent matches. They defeated Newport County 2-0 in their last home game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored eight goals and conceded four.

Bradford City 2-0 Sunderland 19/07/22

Bradford City 2-3 Eccleshill United 26/07/22

Bradford City 0-0 Doncaster Rovers 30/07/22

Bradford City 2-1 Hull City 09/08/22

Bradford City 2-0 Newport County 13/08/22

Bradford City latest away form

Bradford City have recently failed to keep a good run of form on the road, having won just two of their five most recent matches. They defeated Hartlepool United 3-1 in their last away game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored nine goals and conceded nine.

York City 1-4 Bradford City 16/07/22

Chesterfield 3-0 Bradford City 23/07/22

Barrow 3-2 Bradford City 06/08/22

Colchester United 1-0 Bradford City 16/08/22

Hartlepool United 1-3 Bradford City 20/08/22

Blackburn Rovers latest home form

Blackburn Rovers have recently been on a good run of form at home, having won each of their three most recent matches. They managed to defeat West Bromwich Albion 2-1 in their last home game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored seven goals and conceded five.

Blackburn Rovers 0-1 Stoke City 18/04/22

Blackburn Rovers 0-3 AFC Bornemouth 30/04/22

Blackburn Rovers 1-0 Queens Park Rangers 30/07/22

Blackburn Rovers 4-0 Hartlepool United 10/08/22

Blackburn Rovers 2-1 West Bromwich Albion 14/08/22

Blackburn Rovers latest away form

Blackburn Rovers have recently failed to keep a good run of form on the road, having lost each of their two most recent matches. They lost 3-0 to Sheffield United in their last away game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored five goals and conceded six.

Hartlepool United 0-1 Blackburn Rovers 20/07/22

Lincoln City 0-1 Blackburn Rovers 23/07/22

Swansea City 0-3 Blackburn Rovers 06/08/22

Reading 3-0 Blackburn Rovers 17/08/22

Sheffield United 3-0 Blackburn Rovers 20/08/22

Bradford City news

Hughes picked a strong team in the previous round against Hull City, so he will almost look to attack Blackburn at full force as they attempt to record another upset.

Jake Young could return to the squad on the left flank after already impressing in this competition, with Lee Angol making way for him.

Blackburn Rovers news

Bradley Dack will almost certainly come into the XI having scored in the previous round after several injury issues in recent times, with Jack Vale and Tyler Morton also likely to start.

Scott Wharton is ruled out with a hamstring injury, which means Adam Phillips should continue at the heart of the defence.

Prediction and Odds

With Tomasson likely to make fewer changes this time around and facing a trickier away trip after two poor results, we envisage Blackburn’s dismal run on the road continuing here.

Bradford have pulled of many surprise victories in cup competitions in recent years, and we back them to triumph on Tuesday.

Odds: 1 2.22 X 2.05 2 2.30