BULLS coach Jimmy Lowes has jokingly predicted his beloved Leeds United will "smash" Bradford City in next week's Capital One Cup showdown.

The Bantams host their bitter rivals in a second-round match that is being eagerly anticipated throughout West Yorkshire and beyond.

It will be Leeds' first trip to Valley Parade since the sides met in the Premier League in 2000.

And Lowes, who grew up in Leeds as an Elland Road diehard, is confident the Championship side will prevail.

"We're going to come to Bradford and smash them, there's no doubt about that, and I think we'll win quite handsomely too," he said.

"I've only been to the odd game in the past couple of years but nights like this give you the bug to get back going again.

"Working at Leeds Carnegie last year, it was hard to get to many games and I only went to a couple.

"But I will certainly get down to this Bradford City game, without doubt. It should be an absolute cracker."

Lowes admits he was delighted when the draw paired Phil Parkinson's men with his home-town team.

The Bulls chief is hopeful that the takeover of the club by Italian Massimo Cellino will lead to the club finally pushing for a return to the big time.

"Leeds and Bradford are two big cities with a strong sporting rivalry in rugby and football and we're so close to each other as well," said Lowes.

"We didn't have the best start to the season when we lost at Millwall and you never know which way it's going to go with Leeds United.

"Once you start climbing, then something will hit you, but that's all part of being a Leeds fan – we have our ups and downs.

"But the cup tie next week is certainly something that every Leeds and Bradford fan will be looking forward to."