Bradford City v Swansea City: Can the Bantams stun the Swans at Wembley?
This wasn't the glamour final everyone was expecting but what a final it will be. League Two Bradford City have defied the odds to reach Wembley and will face Premier League Swansea City who are looking to win their first major piece of silverware and avoid being victims of another Capital One Cup giant-killing.
This will be the first ever meeting between the two sides in cup football and their first encounter since 2007 when the sides shared a 2-2 draw at Valley Parade. Swansea though are unbeaten in their past four games, although three of those have ended in draws.
Michael Laudrup has had a fairytale start to life as Swansea boss, taking the club to Wembley for a showpiece final for the first time in their history. He says it would mean more to him to win this cup as Swansea manager than when he won the European Cup with Barcelona. That's some statement and one that the Welsh fans will hope comes true.
This will be Swansea's first return to Wembley since their play-off success against Reading in 2011 when they steamrolled Reading in the first-half and hung on to victory in the second. They start the game as red-hot favourites, but that's not a tag that sits well with the players and fans.
Bradford City have seen off Wigan Athletic, Arsenal and Aston Villa in their march to the final but many pundits feel the players may be overawed by the vast Wembley pitch. But this is a moment to savour not to freeze. One to tell your grandkids about. The chance to shine and make your mark which will be remembered forever and be a hero.
This competition has thrown up a number of shocks this season but previous finals also give the Bantams hope. All they have to do is remember Birmingham City beating Arsenal, Sheffield Wednesday seeing off Man United in 1991 and Luton Town beating the Gunners in 1988 to see that anything can happen.
And if the game goes to penalties then Phil Parkinson's men will really fancy themselves as they have won their past nine penalty shoot-outs.
So who will win? Our pundits have their say.
Prediction Panel
|
Aston Villa |
Frank Pattison |
1 |
V |
3 |
|
Everton |
Chris Goodwin |
0 |
V |
3 |
|
Fulham |
Neil Springate |
1 |
V |
3 |
|
Liverpool |
Dave Disciascio |
0 |
V |
3 |
|
Man City |
Callum Rothwell |
1 |
V |
3 |
|
Man United |
Peter Jonstone |
2* |
V |
2 |
|
Newcastle United |
Greg Hall |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
Norwich |
Sue Read |
1 |
V |
3 |
|
QPR |
John Jaycock |
0 |
V |
2 |
|
Reading |
Jon Keen |
1 |
V |
3 |
|
Stoke City |
Peter Holland |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Sunderland |
Tony Ratton |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
Swansea |
Jim Barry |
0 |
V |
1 |
|
West Brom |
Andy Wakeman |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
West Ham |
Matt Beeby |
4 |
V |
0 |
|
Wigan |
Jimmy Shine |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
OUR EXPERTS |
|
|
|
|
|
Writer |
Colin Illingworth |
2 |
V |
4 |
|
Writer |
Steve Coulter |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Writer |
Mitch Waddon |
2 |
V |
3 |
|
Writer |
Chris Pettitt |
1 |
V |
3 |
|
Writer |
Sarshar Hosseinnia |
1 |
V |
4 |
|
Blackburn fan |
Terry Kennedy |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
Bolton fan |
David Blackburn |
1 |
V |
3 |
|
Boro fan |
Sue Gardener |
1 |
V |
4 |
|
Pompey fan |
Dan Taylor |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Pompey fan |
Peter Rendle |
0 |
V |
2 |
|
West Ham fan |
Nigel Telfer |
2* |
V |
2 |
|
Wolves fan |
Chris Cox |
0 |
V |
4 |
|
Editor |
Antony Melvin |
2 |
V |
4 |
* Bradford win on penalty
Panel Verdict
Swansea City win.
Home: 7; Away: 22.
* Do we have it right or do you know better? We’d love to hear from you.
