Newcastle United vs Bradford City Preview, Betting Odds and Predictions – 24/09/2025

Newcastle United begin their defence of the EFL Cup on Wednesday night when they welcome League One leaders Bradford City to St James’ Park. The Magpies lifted the trophy last season to end a 70-year wait for silverware, but they head into this third-round clash under some pressure after a stuttering start to their 2025-26 campaign.

Eddie Howe’s side have struggled to find rhythm in the early weeks of the season, winning just one of their six matches across all competitions. The departure of Alexander Isak in the summer has left a void up front, and Newcastle’s attack has lacked cutting edge as a result. Their weekend draw at Bournemouth was already their third goalless outing of the campaign, highlighting the problems they face in the final third.

Eddie Howe on scoring goals:

"It's up to everybody to chip in with goals. Historically we've done that really well. Our defenders have been regular goalscorers, either from set plays or open play. We're looking at sources of goals from everywhere and we can't be reliant on any… pic.twitter.com/pgPHq5d9mZ
— Newcastle United (@NUFC) September 23, 2025

Newcastle United vs Bradford City Best Bets

Bets	Moneyline	Moneyline
Full Time Result	Newcastle United: -1100, Bradford City: +1600	Draw: +750
Draw No Bet	Newcastle United: -3500	Bradford City: +1200
Total Goals	Over 3.5: -104	Under 3.5: -125
Newcastle United to Win and Both Teams to Score	Yes: +157	No: +-150
Bradford City to Win and Both Teams to Score	Yes: +3439	No: +4013

(Odds via FanDuel)

Newcastle United vs Bradford City Preview

Bradford City will arrive full of confidence. Promoted from League Two in dramatic fashion last season, the Bantams have made an excellent start in League One under Graham Alexander. They currently sit top of the table and have lost only once in 12 matches across all competitions this term.

Their cup run has already seen them claim two Championship scalps, beating Blackburn Rovers 2-1 before thrashing Stoke City 3-0 away from home. Bradford fans are beginning to believe their side could enjoy a long EFL Cup adventure. As a result, the Magpies will know they cannot afford to be complacent here. The visitors have already proven they can hurt bigger teams, and this midweek clash could be trickier than it looks on paper.

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Newcastle United vs Bradford City Over/Under Predictions

Newcastle United vs Bradford City Under 3.5 Goals @ -125 as per FanDuel

Both teams have been involved in relatively tight, low-scoring contests recently, which points towards the under 3.5 goals being a strong play here. Newcastle’s last four games combined have just produced four goals. Their struggles in front of goal since Alexander Isak’s departure have been clear, with three goalless matches already this season. Bradford, meanwhile, will set up with caution here, reducing the chances of a high-scoring affair.

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Newcastle United vs Bradford City Player Picks

Anthony Elanga to score anytime @ +135 as per FanDuel:

Anthony Elanga is yet to open his account for Newcastle this season despite featuring in all five Premier League matches and one Champions League outing. However, the winger’s pace and direct play remain key weapons in Eddie Howe’s attack. Up against League One opposition in Bradford City, Elanga should see more space to exploit and more chances to get on the scoresheet. Given his attacking role and the likelihood of Newcastle dominating possession, the +135 odds for him to find the net offer good value.

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Newcastle United vs Bradford City Final Scoreline Prediction

Bradford’s record in cup competitions shows they are more than capable of troubling a rotated Newcastle side on Wednesday. The Bantams have already taken down Championship opposition this season, and their confidence will be high heading into St James’ Park. That said, Newcastle’s depth and overall quality should see them through. The Magpies are expected to force their way into the fourth round of the EFL Cup.

Final Prediction: Newcastle United 2-1 Bradford City

Bettors can explore a variety of betting options on FanDuel, including full-time results, over/under goals, and player props for this clash.

Abhinav Goel

soccer

I am a soccer writer at The PlayOffs, covering everything from match analysis to transfer buzz and tactical deep dives. Ever since I was a kid, soccer has been more than just a sport to me—it’s been an obsession. Playing and watching the game from a young age fueled my passion, eventually leading me into the world of sports media and betting. Now, I get to analyze the sport I love and bring the latest updates to fans worldwide.