/https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.footballwhispers.com%2Fmain%2F2023%2F11%2Fadam.jpg){kind=avatar}
/https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.footballwhispers.com%2Fmain%2F2026%2F08%2FMichael-Skubala-Bristol-City.jpg)
The first Carabao Cup tie of the new season sees Bristol City host Walsall at Ashton Gate on Thursday night.
The Robins are under new management in Michael Skubala, who they poached from Lincoln City after he won them promotion to the Championship.
Walsall finished midtable in League Two last season and so will be underdogs here, but the Carabao Cup has seen plenty of upsets before.
Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.
Bristol City vs. Walsall key stats
- Bristol City have won two of their last three competitive home games.
- Walsall are winless in six matches in all competitions (D2, L4).
- Bristol City are unbeaten in seven H2Hs (W6, D1).
Bristol City vs. Walsall preview: Robins through to round two?
Bristol City vs Walsall — Tale of the Tape
| Bristol City | vs | Walsall |
|---|---|---|
| 12th (Championship) | Position | 13th (League Two) |
| 62 | Points | 65 |
| 59 | Goals For | 56 |
| 59 | Goals Against | 56 |
| 14 | Clean Sheets | 11 |
| 16th | Home / Away Rank | 6th |
It was a familiar look to last season for Bristol City as they finished in midtable in the Championship.
The Robins are still dreaming of eventually reaching the Premier League, and have brought in Skubala to try and push them over the line.
Skubala had such an impressive campaign where he got unfancied Lincoln promoted from League One, and this will be his first competitive match in charge.
Luke McNally is a long-term injury absentee, but Bristol City almost have a full squad to choose from.
Walsall have no fresh injury concerns themselves, and could hand debuts to the likes of James Connolly and Andy Dallas.
There is also a new man in the dugout at the Saddlers, with Lee Grant taking charge.
Having finished midtable in League Two, Walsall will be hoping to improve on last season, but they could not open this campaign with a much tougher test.
Indeed, they will not be expected to get through here, but stranger things have happened in the Carabao Cup.
Bristol City vs. Walsall form guide & betting tips
| Bristol City | vs | Walsall |
|---|---|---|
WLWDD |
Form | LDLLD |
| 10 | Goals For | 1 |
| 6 | Goals Against | 9 |
N/A |
Carabao Cup | N/A |
Whispers predicts: Bristol City 2-0 Walsall
Bristol City are 2/5 (1.40) favourites to win, but while we agree with the bookies, we want to explore more ambitious bets.
BTTS – No at 10/11 (1.91) is our first pick, as Walsall have drawn blanks in their last four games.
Under 2.5 goals at 5/4 (2.25) is our next bet, with three of those four matches also seeing just two goals or fewer.
Overall, we are predicting a Correct score – 2-0 at 6/1 (7.00), which should reflect the difference in quality between the two sides.
> BTTS – No at 10/11 (1.91) | Likelihood: Probable
> Under 2.5 goals at 5/4 (2.25) | Likelihood: Possible
> Correct score – 2-0 at 6/1 (7.00) | Likelihood: Outsider