Preview: Nottingham Forest vs. Bradford City - prediction, team news, lineups

Nottingham Forest play host to Bradford City in the EFL Cup first round looking to bounce back from their dramatic defeat to Coventry City on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Bradford, now under the leadership of Derek Adams, started their League Two campaign with a goalless draw at Exeter City.

Match preview

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Having taken a half-time lead with a goal in front of their strong travelling support, Chris Hughton would have felt that Forest were well on their way to victory at the Ricoh Arena.

However, the Sky Blues rallied after the break and ultimately deserved their last-gasp winner, leaving Hughton with much to ponder going forward.

While positives could be taken from the performance, the majority of Forest's fans are naturally asking when further additions will be made to the first-team squad.

Despite the promise of their younger players in the final third, the East Midlands giants desperately require reinforcements over the coming weeks with key figures now in the treatment room.

On a positive note, Lyle Taylor got on the scoresheet at the weekend as he bids to improve on netting just four times during his first year at the City Ground.

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Instead of overseeing Morecambe's first-ever year in League One, Adams made the decision to pen a long-term contract with fourth-tier Bradford.

Adams would have been relatively content with a share of the spoils against promotion contenders Exeter after the Bantams ended last season with six defeats from seven games.

With it being all change on the personnel front during the summer, Wednesday's fixture at Forest provides Adams with a chance to further bed in his new signings.

Nevertheless, despite nine fresh faces and more potentially arriving on loan, there will be a desire to cause one of the upsets of the round with the pressure firmly on the shoulders of their hosts.

Team News

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While Loic Mbe Soh and Nuno Da Costa are definite absentees for Forest, Joe Worrall will be assessed in the days ahead of the game.

Tobias Figueiredo appears likely to be brought into the starting lineup, as do Cafu and Philip Zinckernagel in midfield.

Ateef Konate and Joao Carvalho are also pushing for opportunities in creative areas.

Adams will make a number of changes to his Bradford XI with Charles Vernam and Oliver Crankshaw both in line to earn a spot in the side.

Second-choice goalkeeper Sam Hornby should feature between the sticks, with Fiacre Kelleher likely to earn a debut in the middle of the defence.

Nottingham Forest possible starting lineup:
Horvath; Lawrence-Gabriel, Figueiredo, McKenna, Bong; Yates, Cafu; Konate, Carvalho, Zinckernagel; Taylor

Bradford City possible starting lineup:
Hornby; Threlkeld, Canavan, Kelleher, Ridehalgh; Watt, Sutton; Crankshaw, Cooke, Vernam; Cook

We say: Nottingham Forest 2-0 Bradford City

With Hughton expected to make widespread changes, Bradford will fancy their chances of causing the upset.

However, Forest's fringe members will be keen to make a positive impression, leading us to predict a relatively comfortable win for the home side.