Newcastle United U21s lead the way in Northern Group C after winning 3-1 at York, but now comes a far sterner test away at League One high-fliers Bradford City.
Goals from Georgian youngster Vakhtang Salia - his fourth in five games - Kyran Thompson and Afner Ca earned Newcastle's youngsters a first tournament win since the 2018/19 competition.
That, however, is their sole victory in 2025/26, having lost all three PL2 outings plus a pair of National League Cup ties at Tamworth and Boreham Wood.
This is another step up against a Bradford side sitting top of League One, on a four-game winning run, and with seven clean sheets in 10.
Bradford City vs Newcastle United U21 Tips Summary
Best Bet - Bradford City & Over 3.5 Goals @ 11/8
Alternative Bet - Over 10 Corners @ 11/10
Bet Builder - Half With Most Goals - Second Half, Bradford To Win Both Halves, Match Goals Range 3-6 @ 5/1
Bradford City vs Newcastle United U21 Prediction
Best Bet - Bradford City & Over 3.5 Goals @ 11/8
City boss Graham Alexander will make the odd tweak to his side for this EFL Trophy game, though tournament rules insist he cannot make too many.
In that case, a decent Bradford side should be far too good for the young Magpies.
City come into the game on the back of a pair of classy 1-0 away wins at Notts County and Luton but can go on the goal trail here.
Newcastle have shipped 17 goals in six games this season, and whoever Robbie Stockdale picks to play in defence is in for a torrid time.
Take City to win in a game featuring over 3.5 goals.
Alternative Bet - Over 10 Corners @ 11/10
It's 4/6 that there are over 9.5 corners at Valley Parade but take the risk instead on over 10 at 11/10.
There have been 64 corners in Bradford's five home games this season at 12.8 per game, so the pointers are there.
Bradford City vs Newcastle United U21 Bet Builder Tip
Half With Most Goals - Second Half
Bradford To Win Both Halves
Match Goals Range 3-6
Pays 5/1
Bradford City's games this season have featured six first-half goals, but 11 after the break.
Given that this well-drilled and thoroughly professional Bradford side are likely to wear the Newcastle academy starlets down, expect the visitors to wilt in the second period and the goals to pile up.
Make Half With Most Goals - Second Half the first leg of a Valley Parade Bet Builder.
Take a chance on Bradford winning both halves for leg two.
Newcastle's young pros are conceding far too many goals and that has to spell danger.
Go for a goals range of between 3-6. There were four goals in Newcastle's 3-1 win at York and four of the Toon academy's last five have produced a 3-6 goals range.
Learn more about how Bet Builders work in our Bet Builder guide.
Key Match Stats
Bradford City are on a four-game winning streak and have won seven of their 10 games played this term, losing twice. They have kept clean sheets in seven of their 10 matches
Newcastle U21's 3-1 win at York in their Northern Group C opener snapped a seven-year winless streak in the group stages
Only one away team has scored more than one goal at Valley Parade in Bradford's last 16 home matches (Cambridge, who won 2-1 on September 1)
Robbie Stockdale's Newcastle side have played six matches this season in all competitions, losing all three in PL2 to sit 30th out of the 31 sides; they have conceded 17 goals in those six games
There have been 64 corners in Bradford's five home games this season (12.8 per game)
These teams drew at Valley Parade 2-2 in the group stage of the 2024/25 campaign, Newcastle winning on penalties
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
