Bradford City vs Swansea City, Capital One Cup Final: Open Thread

“With starting odds of 1,000-1 as a minimum, Bradford’s achievement of reaching the Capital One Cup Final really can be considered a once in a millennium opportunity. In an era in which the selected elite dominate both domestic league and cups, a Bradford vs Swansea City final is a refreshing change to the usual mundane hierarchy,” writes Dave Waterhouse for the website Three And In. I couldn’t have said it better myself.

There are few Bradford or Swansea City supporters reading this. The vast majority of you are neutrals in this cup tie, but since it’s the first cup final this year, I would highly recommend that you watch it. Bradford has been incredibly exciting to watch in the tournament this season. And we all know how well Swansea can play.

For viewers in the United States, the game will be shown live on beIN SPORT beginning at 10:55am ET with commentators Ian Joy and Ross Dyer. If your TV provider doesn’t offer beIN SPORT, you can listen live via radio at Talksport.com or Talksport.co.uk.

Swansea starting XI: Tremmel, Rangel, Ki, Williams (c), Davies, Britton, de Guzman, Routledge, Dyer, Hernandez, Michu

Bradford starting XI: Duke; Darby, McArdle, McHugh, Good; Thompson, Doyle, Jones, Atkinson; Hanson, Wells.

The surprise team selection is that Ki Sung-Yueng has been picked to partner Ashley Williams in centre defense for Swansea. The Korean midfielder has been picked instead of Kyle Bartley and Garry Monk, which will come as a blow to both of those footballers who were hoping that one of them would play instead of the injured Chico Flores.

It’s a brave decision by Swansea manager Michael Laudrup, but it’s a sound one in my mind. Both Bartley and Monk are still having nightmares after their weak performance against Liverpool from last Sunday. And Ki offers the height and strength in the back. He’s played in that position before for Swansea.

It’s an intriguing matchup between two contrasting styles. May the best team win.

Enjoy the League Cup Final.