Preview: Bradford City vs Grimsby Town - prediction, team news, lineups

Bradford City will host giant-killers Grimsby Town at Valley Parade on Tuesday night for matchday one in Northern Group C of the EFL Trophy.

The hosts are undefeated after eight matches at the beginning of this season, while the visitors will still be riding the high of their penalty victory over Manchester United in the EFL Cup second round.

Match preview

Bradford City secured their League One return after six seasons in League Two in 2024-25, narrowly securing their automatic promotion with a third-placed finish, just one point above fourth-placed Walsall.

The Bantams have continued their impressive form from last campaign in the opening stages of this term, with Graham Alexander's side still yet to be beaten in the first eight matches of 2025-26.

Bradford have won six and drawn two of their opening eight fixtures across all competitions, leaving them third in the League One table with 14 points, while they have also secured their place in the third round of the EFL Cup, having progressed past Blackburn Rovers and Stoke City.

Alexander, in charge since November 2023, will be hoping his men can continue their superb streak with another win on Tuesday, and their recent record in this competition will only help to further increase his side's confidence.

Bradford have reached the semi-finals of this competition in each of the last two seasons, narrowly eliminated by Wycombe Wanderers 1-0 in 2023-24 and defeated 2-1 by Birmingham City last campaign, leaving the Bantams looking to go one step further and reach the final this time around.

Despite their confidence heading into the fixture, Alexander will be aware of the dangers that their visitors carry, especially following Grimsby's jaw-dropping victory over Manchester United last week.

The Mariners, who climbed from 21st in League Two in 2023-24 to a ninth-placed finish and just missing the playoffs last season, have carried that upward trajectory into a strong start this term.

Grimsby had won four and drawn two of their first six games of the campaign heading into the EFL Cup clash with Manchester United, and the Mariners sensationally continued their streak as they recorded one of the biggest upsets in English football history.

Grimsby raced into a 2-0 lead inside 30 minutes and were far superior to their Premier League opponents for the majority of the game, and while Man Utd did fight back to force penalties thanks to late goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Harry Maguire, the Mariners held their nerve and won 12-11 in a dramatic penalty shootout.

Remarkably, just days after recording one of the biggest shocks in English football history, Grimsby lost their unbeaten start to the campaign as Bristol Rovers snatched a 1-0 win at Blundell Park, leaving David Artell eager for an immediate response on Tuesday.

Grimsby and Bradford have been regular opponents in recent history, and the Bantams have certainly had more enjoyment from their meetings, losing only one of the last 16 clashes with the Mariners - alongside eight wins and seven draws.

Bradford City form (all competitions):

Grimsby Town form (all competitions):

Team News

Bradford may be without Curtis Tilt for Tuesday's EFL Trophy clash after the defender came off with an injury issue in the 3-2 win over AFC Wimbledon last week.

Elsewhere, Alexander may look to name a similar side against the Mariners as Bradford hope to maintain their undefeated start to the season, though Will Swan could be awarded a start after scoring in all of his last four appearances.

As for Grimsby, cup heroes Tyrell Warren, Christy Pym, Darragh Burns and Charles Vernam could all start in the EFL Trophy opener on Tuesday.

Changes may be made by Artell elsewhere in the side after their 1-0 loss to Bristol Rovers, with George McEachran and Cameron Gardner in contention to start.

Bradford City possible starting lineup:

Walker; Baldwin, Wright, Kelly; Halliday, Power, Leigh, Touray; Lapslie, Pointon; Swan

Grimsby Town possible starting lineup:

Pym; Rodgers, Warren, McJannett, Staunton; Burns, Green, McEachran, Khouri, Vernam; Kabia

We say: Bradford City 2-1 Grimsby Town

Grimsby may be hoping to pull off another upset when they take on Bradford City, but the hosts have a sensational record in this fixture and are full of confidence thanks to their recent form, leading us to expect a home win.

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