Bradford City face Peterborough United in the EFL Cup last 16 after a draw that denied them a Premier League glamour tie but offered a clear path to the quarter-finals. The draw took place on Wednesday 16 September, pairing the two League One sides together in a match where over 10,000 tickets priced at £5 have already been sold.
Supporters had dreamed of a trip to Liverpool, Chelsea or Arsenal, but the club had an 86.67% chance of drawing a Premier League opponent. Instead, they landed Peterborough, a side they consider the second most winnable option available. Darragh MacAnthony, Peterborough's director of football, acknowledged the recent history, saying, "we have had their number the last couple of times at Valley Parade." He added, "the challenge is to beat another League One team to get in the quarter finals."
Managerial context
This cup tie comes amid a period of change at Valley Parade, with Michael Duff appointed as manager three weeks after the draw. Sky Sports pundit and former Bradford striker Don Goodman backed the appointment, describing it as a "brilliant" opportunity at a big club. Goodman believes Duff can maintain the team's current playing style, which has taken them to second place in League One on 17 points from nine games. He noted the manager's pathway mirrors that of his predecessor, Graham Alexander, and hopes for similar success.
Opponent's form
Peterborough United will arrive with their own new manager, Robbie Savage, who replaced Luke Williams just before the draw. Savage won his first match in charge 3-1 away at Leicester City, indicating a positive start. The Posh prefer to play out from the back, setting up a tactical contest against Duff's Bradford side.
Cup history and expectations
A place in the EFL Cup quarter-finals would be a rare achievement for Bradford City. They have reached that stage only four times in the last 51 years, most recently in the 2012/13 season. The club's current strong league form, which includes an unbeaten run of five matches with three wins and two draws, provides a solid platform for this cup challenge. The expected attendance for the tie is between 13,000 and 15,000, creating a significant atmosphere at Valley Parade.
Bradford's immediate focus returns to League One, where they sit two points behind leaders Plymouth. The team will then turn their full attention to the cup and the chance to make history. The last-16 tie is scheduled to be played in the coming weeks.
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