Bradford City prepare for a key EFL Trophy group stage fixture away to Rotherham United on Tuesday evening. The match at the New York Stadium offers the Bantams a chance to go top of Northern Group B. A win would see them progress to the knockout stages with a game to spare.
Bradford sit second in League One with 16 points from eight games, a position built on an unbeaten run of five matches. Their last outing was a 1-1 draw at Reading, where Jake Beesley opened the scoring early on. That result extended a sequence featuring wins over Luton, Notts County and Leyton Orient. In that draw at Reading, Bradford's goal came in the 14th minute.
Recent form and squad
Manager Graham Alexander is expected to rotate his squad for the cup tie. The side that drew at Reading lined up in a 3-4-2-1 formation, with Colin Dawson in goal behind a back three of Matthew Pennington, Ashleigh Baldwin and George Christopher John Pratt.
Rotherham, who play in League Two, have had mixed results lately. They lost 1-0 at Exeter City last time out and have drawn three of their last five matches. Their most recent starting eleven featured a 4-2-3-1 shape with Jordan Eyestone in goal.
Group context
In the EFL Trophy standings, Bradford currently hold second place with three points, one ahead of Rotherham in third. The Bantams won the most recent league meeting between the sides 1-0 back in February. A positive result in South Yorkshire would put them in a commanding position to qualify for the knockout stages. The latest standings show how the group is shaping up. Victory for Bradford would see them finish the night on six points, securing top spot in the group and automatic qualification for the next round.
Bradford's next assignment after this cup tie is a return to League One action at home to Leyton Orient on Saturday, 10 October. That match at Valley Parade kicks off at 3pm, as the Bantams look to continue their strong start to the league season.
