Verdict: Both teams to score
Best Odds: 10/11
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
Two camps who will get their respective EFL Cup campaigns underway on Wednesday night, Birmingham will welcome Sheffield United to St. Andrew’s.
Birmingham City
Starting with the hosts, while Birmingham might have marked their Championship return with last-gasp heartbreak over the weekend as they eventually had to settle for a 1-1 stalemate at home against Ipswich, the Blues should take plenty of positives away from an eye-catching performance. Largely getting the better of a team that was playing Premier League football just a few months ago, Chris Davies’ men have plenty of exceptions on their shoulders. Enjoying what has been a sensational rise over the past 12 months, Birmingham have also continued to impress with their success at St. Andrew’s. Looking to collect what would be a notable scalp on Wednesday night, Davies’ side have not suffered a single defeat in front of their own supporters since a 3-2 FA Cup loss against Newcastle way back on February 8th.
Birmingham City Team News
Still dealing with a long-term knee injury, Birmingham will once again be without Scotland international Scott Wright on Wednesday night. Arriving from Turkish giants Fenerbahce last month, Bright Osayi-Samuel should once again be deployed at right-back.
Opening his Championship account against Ipswich last weekend, attacking talisman Jay Stansfield will play a leading role in the final third. Making a return to his boyhood club this summer, former Leicester ace Demarai Bray will feature here.
Sheffield United
As for the visitors, suffering play-off final heartbreak at Wembley on May 24th as they collapsed to a 2-1 loss against Sunderland, many were wondering if Sheffield United would show any signs of a hangover last weekend. Putting in what was a woeful performance at Bramall Lane and opening the 2025/26 campaign with a woeful 4-1 drumming at the hands of Bristol City, new boss Ruben Selles already has a huge amount of pressure on his shoulders. Likewise, signing off their summer preparations with an action-packed 3-2 defeat against French outfit Nice, the Blades have shown some real defensive struggles. Despite landing a 2-1 victory when they last travelled to St. Andrew’s back in May 2023, the former Hull manager will be bracing himself for a stern examination on Wednesday night.
Sheffield United Team News
Both still dealing with respective long-term injury issues, Sheffield United will travel to St. Andrew’s on Wednesday night without the duo of Sai Sachdev and former Leeds starlet Jamie Shackleton. However, despite continued speculation over a move away this summer, Gustavo Hamer will start here.
Opening his Championship account with a consolation strike against Bristol City over the weekend, former Stoke striker Tyrese Campbell will lead the line. Completing a loan switch from Portuguese outfit Braga this summer, Dijibril Soumare could be handed a first start.
Birmingham City vs Sheffield United Key Factors to Consider
- When Birmingham and Sheffield United last met at St. Andrew’s back in May 2023, the Blades collected a 2-1 victory.
- The Blues have not suffered a single defeat in front of their own supporters across any competition since the start of February.
- Getting the 2025/26 campaign underway with a woeful 4-1 drumming at home against Bristol City, Sheffield United have failed to register consecutive clean sheets so far this calendar year.
- Opening his Championship account over the weekend, Jay Stansfield also registered 19 League One goals last season.
- Along with each of their last three meetings, four of the previous five battles between Birmingham and Sheffield United have finished with both teams finding the net.
Conclusion
Completely blown away at Bramall Lane last weekend as they opened the 2025/26 campaign with that woeful 4-1 drumming against Bristol City, Sheffield United should be bracing themselves for another stern examination here. Coming under a huge amount of scrutiny over the past few days, Selles’ camp are pencilled in as a real underdog on Wednesday night. However, in a contest that tends to produce plenty of action, we could be treated to an enjoyable EFL Cup opener in midweek. Likewise, along with all of their last three meetings finishing with both teams finding the net, four of their previous five battles have finished in an identical outcome.
Verdict: Both teams to score
Best Odds: 10/11
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
