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Bradford City are set to face off against Newcastle United in the third round of the EFL Cup, and they will be hoping to end a 12-year record in the competition.
The Bantams have performed against expectations so far in the competition, as they managed to beat both Blackburn Rovers and Stoke City in the competition thus far, two clubs in the Championship, while Bradford are competing in League One.
Bradford’s next opponent will be another step up in quality, as they face the might of Eddie Howe’s Newcastle, who are one of the clubs representing England in the Champions League this season.
Graham Alexander’s side will not fear anyone in the competition and so will enter the third-round fixture with Newcastle looking to upset the odds, in a similar fashion to how they did to Arsenal in 2013; and in doing so they will bring to an end a 12-year record in the EFL Cup.
Bradford City have not beaten a Premier League club in the EFL Cup since 2013
In 2013 Bradford City defied the odds as they reached the final of the EFL Cup despite competing in League Two at the time.
On their way to the final, they managed to overcome three Premier League clubs in the shape of Wigan Athletic, Arsenal, and Aston Villa before they came up against Swansea City.
The final would prove to be a step too far, as Swansea easily defeated them at Wembley, becoming the first Welsh club to win the trophy.
However, since that campaign Bradford have failed to beat a Premier League club in the competition; however, they now have the opportunity to end this 12-year wait for a win over a side from the English top flight in the EFL Cup.
Bradford may believe they will not get a better chance to do so with Newcastle struggling so far this campaign while the Bantams enjoy a fine return to League One.
History indicates Newcastle should emerge as victors against Bradford
This will be the first meeting between Bradford and Newcastle since they squared off in March 2001 in the Premier League, with nothing to split the sides as they drew 2-2.
Newcastle will take confidence from their EFL Cup record against Bradford, having progressed on two occasions in 1984 and 2000, while the Bantams won the other in the second round of the competition in 1986.
Meanwhile, Newcastle will be desperate to avoid becoming the first club since Swansea in 2013 to be eliminated from the EFL Cup in the first match while defending the title of the competition.