Bradford City host Peterborough in EFL Cup last 16
Web StoryWatch this story in 15 seconds →Key takeaways
- Bradford City host Peterborough United at Valley Parade tonight in the EFL Cup fourth round.
- The winner reaches the quarter-finals, where a Premier League giant could wait.
- Bradford are unbeaten in 11 games, while Peterborough have not won in their last three.
Bradford City host Peterborough United at Valley Parade tonight. The tie is in the fourth round of the EFL Cup. The winner reaches the quarter-finals.
The match
The game kicks off at 7:45pm UK time on Tuesday, October 27, 2026. The venue is Valley Parade in Bradford. In the UK, fans can watch live on Sky Sports+. In the United States, the game streams on Paramount+.
Both clubs play in League One. League One is the third tier of English football. That makes this an all-League One tie.
One of these two clubs is sure to reach the last eight.
Only three clubs from the English Football League are left in the cup. Bradford and Peterborough are two of them. Fleetwood Town, from League Two, are the third.
Fleetwood host Arsenal in the other Tuesday tie.
The EFL Cup is also called the Carabao Cup. The name comes from its sponsor. It is a knockout cup.
Lose once, and you are out. Win tonight, and the quarter-finals await.
Why it matters
The prize tonight is huge for both clubs. The quarter-final draw takes place on Wednesday, October 28. It follows the Liverpool against Chelsea tie. The quarter-final games take place in the week of December 14.
A win tonight could mean a tie against a Premier League giant. Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool, and Chelsea are all still in the cup. For a League One club, that is a dream draw.
It also means big crowds and big TV money.
Bradford come into the game as favourites. They sit third in League One. They are unbeaten in 11 games in all competitions.
Their defence is the best in the division. They have let in only five goals in 12 league games.
Bradford also beat Peterborough already this season. They won 2-0 at Valley Parade on the opening day. That result will give the home fans belief.
It will also give Peterborough a point to prove.
Peterborough have had a harder season. They are winless in their last three games. They drew 1-1 at Bromley on Saturday.
Vernon Masara scored a last-minute equaliser in that game.
But cup games can be different. Peterborough have already shown nerve in this cup. They beat Barnsley on penalties after a 3-3 draw in the last round.
Their boss, Robbie Savage, has said his side can beat anybody, according to the BBC.
Savage took charge on October 2, 2026. He has won one of his first four league games in charge. His team is still learning his methods. A cup run could speed up that progress.
Bradford's boss is Michael Duff. He took charge on October 6, 2026. He replaced Graham Alexander.
Duff has kept the good work going. His side have not conceded in four games since he took over. Their last two games were 0-0 draws at Burton and Oxford.
How both teams got here
Bradford's cup run started with a 2-0 win over Rochdale. They then beat Burnley on penalties after a 0-0 draw. In the third round, they won 3-1 at Leyton Orient.
Will Swan has been key in the cup. He scored in the wins over Rochdale and Leyton Orient. He also scored twice in a cup win at Rotherham in a different competition.
Peterborough's route has been less smooth. They needed penalties to beat Barnsley in the third round. That tie finished 3-3. Peterborough won the shootout 7-6.
Cup shocks happen every season in England. Wolves lost 3-1 to Bolton at Molineux in a recent upset. Wrexham also came back late to beat West Brom.
Peterborough will hope tonight brings another surprise.
Team news
Peterborough are without their top scorer. Harry Leonard is suspended. Danny Ormerod is set to lead the line in his place.
That is a big change for the visitors.
Two defenders are also out injured. Ben Woods and Rio Adebisi are both ruled out. Tom O'Connor is not expected to play either.
He played 90 minutes on Saturday for the first time since injury.
Lucca Mendonca is a doubt with an ankle knock. There is better news on two players. Josh Feeney and Matt Garbett trained on Monday.
Both are expected to return to the squad.
Bradford have their own injury worries. Winger Josh Neufville is out with a hamstring injury. He is around two weeks from a return.
Striker Stephen Humphrys is a doubt with a back issue. He missed Saturday's draw at Oxford.
The confirmed teams show how both bosses have set up. Bradford line up in a 3-4-2-1 shape. Jon McCracken starts in goal.
Matthew Pennington, Macaulay Gillesphey, and Reece Welch form the back three. Jake Beesley leads the attack, with Bobby Pointon and George Lapslie behind him.
Peterborough line up in a 4-2-3-1 shape. Alex Bass starts in goal. Carl Johnston, Lucca Mendonca, Josh Feeney, and Harley Mills form the back four.
Danny Ormerod leads the line, with Owura Edwards, Ethan Williams, and Vernon Masara in support.
What happens next
The winner goes into the quarter-final draw on Wednesday night. That draw takes place after Liverpool play Chelsea. Fans will learn their next opponents then.
The quarter-final ties take place in the week of December 14. For the winner tonight, a Premier League away day could follow. For the loser, the focus returns to the league.
Bradford will chase promotion from League One. Peterborough will chase points to climb the table. But tonight, the league can wait.
A place in the last eight is on the line at Valley Parade.
Related stories
Why Is Altitude Sickness Worse for Some People?
Altitude sickness hits some people harder because of genetics, ascent speed, and prior history, not fitness level. Here is what raises risk
Why Do You Get Blisters When Hiking and How to Prevent Them
Friction plus moisture plus heat equals a blister. Learn why hiking breeds all three, and the boots, socks, and tape system that keeps
How to choose hiking boots for beginners: fit, features, and break-in
Beginners should buy for fit first: snug everywhere, tight nowhere, with a thumb's width at the toes. Here is how to size, test,