Newcastle vs Bradford Prediction: The Bantams can cause a few problems

Newcastle United begin their Carabao Cup defence on Wednesday (19:45 BST, Sky Sports Football) as they welcome Bradford City to St. James' Park. The Magpies have won just one game this season in six attempts, while the League 1 side have won nine from 12 across all competitions.

Below you will find my Newcastle vs Bradford predictions, aided by the latest team news and match odds.

Team News

Newcastle defender Fabian Schar is set to miss out again after picking up a head injury in last Thursday's Uefa Champions League tussle with Barcelona. Jacob Ramsey remains out with an ankle issue, while Yoane Wissa is sidelined with a knee problem.

With Wissa out, Will Osula is currently the Magpies' second-choice striker, and he may be handed a start against Bradford. Support in the final third might be provided by Anthony Elanga and Harvey Barnes.

Joelinton and Bruno Guimaraes are expected to come back into the midfield after being rested in the weekend's draw with AFC Bournemouth.

Aaron Ramsdale is expected to feature between the sticks, while a place in the back four may be given to Jamaal Lascelles.

Football Odds

Heading to a side in the Champions League, Bradford boss Graham Alexander will likely field a strong XI on Tyneside, which is surely going to include League 1's joint-top scorer Bobby Pointon (five goals).

Fellow attacker Will Swan has four goals in the fourth tier, and the duo may be deployed together to give the Bantams their best chance at hurting the hosts' defence.

Midfielder Tommy Leigh was on the scoresheet in the weekend triumph over Cardiff City, but he was later forced off in the game and he is considered a doubt for this midweek trip.

Newcastle vs Bradford Odds

Newcastle have beaten Bradford 20 times across 43 meetings to date, and they are 1/8 to prevail in regulation time here.

Bradford are 22/1 (implied probability of 4.3%) to pull off an upset. The visitors have won five of their past six outings in all competitions, and they have had a talent for cup upsets over the past 12 years, which have included Arsenal and Chelsea.

The hosts have drawn three of their six games this season and the stalemate is marketed at 17/2.

Both teams to score @ 5/4

From what I've seen of Newcastle at the start of the season, they look like they are struggling without Alexander Isak and their three 0-0 draws are highlighting this. Boss Eddie Howe needs to find a way for his side to become more clinical in front of goal if they are to keep pushing for a place in the Champions League year-on-year.

As the current holders of the Carabao Cup, the Magpies will look to try and defend their title this season. However, Bradford may be a difficult test. The Bantams have plenty of momentum with them because of their strong start in League 1, having just been promoted from League 2.

Bradford have had a talent for causing big upsets in cup competitions over the years and I don't think I would be massively surprised to see one here. It's not something I'm confident in backing, though, but I do like the look of both teams to score.

This has been a successful bet in 10 of the visitors' 12 competitive fixtures played so far in 2025/26, and I think this trend can continue up against Premier League opposition.

Additionally, there have been goals at both ends in two of Newcastle's past three outings on home soil across all competitions.

Bruno Guimaraes anytime goalscorer @ 11/4

With a full rest at the weekend, Brazilian midfielder Bruno Guimaraes is likely to start this cup tie and set the standards for Newcastle. A lot of the attacking players are short prices to find the net on Wednesday and so I think Bruno Guimaraes could be a shrewd selection at 11/4.

He has already opened his account this season, scoring against Liverpool in the Premier League. He may not be a regular source of goals but he has shown his ability to score from a range of different situations for the Magpies.

Bruno Guimaraes often gets into good spaces to either receive the ball or be well-positioned for it spills out to him from the penalty box.

Offers

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