Bradford City face Macclesfield Town in the EFL Cup tonight, with the ambition of reaching the second round of the competition for the first team since the 2014/15 season, when they beat Morecambe 1-0, thanks to a late Aaron McLean goal.
Newly promoted League Two side Macclesfield Town won’t want to make life easy for their visitors, after losing their first two games in the league this season, and it could wind up being a difficult cup-tie for the Bantams.
The West-Yorkshire side is likely to take a healthy support to the Moss Rose tonight, with the hope their Bantams side can get the business done against the League Two side.
Michael Collins is likely to make some changes from last weekend’s 2-0 home defeat to Barnsley, and here, we look at a potential side the Bantams could look to put out:
GK – Ben Wilson
Richard O’Donnell is likely to get some rest tonight with Bantams facing lower league opposition in Macclesfield Town, ahead of this weekends fixture against Southend. This could pave a way for the club’s new summer signing from Cardiff City, Wilson to make his first start for the Bantams away at the Moss Rose in the cup.
RB – Joe Riley
The former Manchester United player only featured for 45 minutes against Barnsley at Valley Parade at the weekend and could feature again tonight in the cup. It’s likely that the Bantams may stick with the same formation Collins has employed for the first two games, which would see Riley occupying the right-side of the Bantams back-line.
CB – Ryan McGowan
McGowan has yet to make an appearance for the Bantams this season and after impressing when he joined up with the West-Yorkshire club last season, he was sidelined by injury. Tonight’s cup match against Macclesfield could see the Aussie center-half return to the starting line-up for the Bantams, in front of what will likely be a healthy traveling support.
CB – Thomas Isherwood
Isherwood moved to Valley Parade after trialing with Steven Gerrard’s Rangers, upon leaving Bayern Munich’s youth set-up, and could be handed his professional debut for the Bantams tonight. With the club likely to adopt three centre-backs, he could find himself as one of the starters away at the Moss Rose.
CB – Matthew Kilgallon
Last seasons Player of the Year has yet to make an appearance for the Bantams this campaign, and he may well be handed his first opportunity for the Bantams tonight. Kilgallon will most likely slot in on the left-hand side of three centre-halves for tonight’s game.
LB – Tyrell Robinson
Robinson was one of the Bantams exciting prospects last season, and with Adam Chicksen having to have stitches at the weekend, it could be likely that Robinson is handed a start on the left-hand side of defence tonight.
CM – Josh Wright
The Bantams skipper will more than likely hold his position in the centre of midfield tonight, and will look to take the Bantams into the second-round of the EFL Cup. Wright will be keen to put the weekend’s defeat to Barnsley to bed tonight and will want to ensure he offers some much-needed experience in what could be a young starting XI for the Bantams tonight.
CM – Hope Akpan
Akpan was excellent at the weekend for Bradford City, and will most likely hold onto his position alongside Wright tonight in the middle-of-the-pack.
RW – Sherwin Seedorf
Seedorf looked bright after coming on at the weekend against Barnsley and will want to make an impact for the Bantams out on the wing tonight if he’s handed his first start of the season. The winger will more than likely be looking for a goal against League Two opposition, and will more than likely have plenty of chances to do so if he’s handed a start.
ST – George Miller
Miller was excellent during his debut against Shrewsbury Town on the opening weekend of the season, but after being benched for Eoin Doyle in last weekend’s clash against Barnsley, he could return to the Bantams starting XI tonight. The young striker will be looking to open his account for the Bantams, to push for a start in this weekend’s forthcoming fixture away at Southend.
LW – Jordan Gibson
Jordan Gibson enjoyed some exciting appearances for Bradford City last season, and Michael Collins may want some real pace out on both wings tonight to support George Miller up-front. Gibson and Seedorf would cause a real headache for Macclesfield Town’s defence if they both started tonight, so expect the youngster to either start, or at least come off the bench.