Preview: Bradford City vs. Blackburn Rovers - prediction, team news, lineups

This tie marks the first time these two clubs have met since March 2018, when Blackburn ran out 2-0 winners on the way to gaining promotion from League One later that season.

Match preview

Bradford, of course, are aiming 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 they were a Premier League side, is the man tasked with returning The Bantams to a level they would understandably consider to be more befitting of their historical status and 25,000 all-seated stadium.

Indeed, Valley Parade is a tough place for any team to visit, as Championship side Hull City found out in the previous round of this competition when they were beaten 2-1. Bradford have not conceded in either game at home in the league yet this season, either, with their 3-1 win away to Hartlepool United at the weekend taking them back into the top half of the table.

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

Blackburn, meanwhile, head to Bradford off the back of two successive away defeats in the Championship.

Jon Dahl Tomasson made the perfect start to life as Rovers boss having replaced Tony Mowbray earlier this summer, winning each of his first three league games in charge as well as progressing in the EFL Cup by thrashing Hartlepool 4-0 at Ewood Park.

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

Even if the league will almost certainly take priority, Tuesday's trip to Bradford all of a sudden has a little more riding on it for Blackburn, as Tomasson desperately attempts to fix his team's growing problems away from home.

Bradford City EFL Cup form:

Bradford City form (all competitions):

Blackburn Rovers EFL Cup form:

Blackburn Rovers form (all competitions):

Team News

Hughes picked a strong team in the previous round against Hull, so the former Wales manager will almost certainly look to attack Blackburn at full throttle as they attempt to record another upset.

Jake Young could return to the side on the left-flank after already impressing in this competition, with Lee Angol likely to make way for the 21-year-old.

Tomasson, on the other hand, made wholesale changes against Hartlepool in round one, but with his side facing a trickier away trip after two poor results, the former Newcastle United forward may make fewer this time around.

Bradley Dack will almost certainly come into the side having scored in the previous round after several injury issues in recent times, with Tyler Morton and Jack Vale also likely to start to allow Ben Brereton Diaz and Sam Gallagher a rest.

Scott Wharton is ruled out with a hamstring injury, meaning 17-year-old Adam Phillips should continue at the heart of the defence.

Bradford City possible starting lineup:

Lewis; Halliday, Platt, Crichlow, Ridehalgh; Smallwood, Gilliead; Banks, Chapman, Young; Cook

Blackburn Rovers possible starting lineup:

Pears; Phillips, Ayala, Pickering; Brittain, Morton, Travis, Edun; Dack, Dolan; Vale

We say: Bradford City 2-1 Blackburn Rovers

We can envisage Blackburn's poor run on the road continuing in this match.

Bradford have pulled off many surprise victories in cup competitions in recent years - most notably when reaching the final of this competition in 2013 - and their home support can galvanise them towards another.

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