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Having both won their Carabao Cup first round games, Sheffield United and Birmingham City will face off in their Championship opener at Bramall Lane on Saturday evening.
The Blades were 3-0 winners at Mansfield Town, while the Blues beat fellow Championship side Swansea City 1-0 away from home.
Having last played in the Premier League in 2023/24, Sheff Utd are desperate to return to the top flight, while Birmingham's wealthy owners also have the same ambition.
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.
Sheffield United vs. Birmingham City key stats
- Sheff Utd are unbeaten in eight games in all competitions (W6, D2).
- Birmingham are on a six-match winning run across all competitions.
- The three H2Hs last season were evenly split (W1, D1, L1).
Sheff Utd vs Birmingham — Tale of the Tape
| Sheff Utd | vs | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
| 15th | Position | 1st |
| 0 | Points | 0 |
| 0 | Goals For | 0 |
| 0 | Goals Against | 0 |
| 0 | Clean Sheets | 0 |
| 15th | Home / Away Rank | 1st |
Now in their third straight season in the Championship, Sheff Utd will be aiming for a higher finish than 13th.
Used to top-half finishes in the second tier, it was an uncharacteristically poor campaign for the Blades, who are usually fighting for promotion.
Tasked with trying to get them back to the Premier League once again is Chris Wilder, who has a great connection with the club and its fanbase.
Sheff Utd will come into this match on home soil with confidence after a convincing victory against Mansfield, although they will have to play without returnee Kalvin Phillips, who is nursing an injury, while Tyler Onyango is also out and Tahith Chong and Jamie Shackleton are fitness doubts.
Chris Davies also has similar issues as he is unable to call upon Marc Leonard, while Lee Buchanan and Ethan Laird are doubts.
Still, Birmingham have a strong enough squad to cope, and it will only get stronger with more investment from their owners.
After winning League One with a record points total in 2024/25, the Blues finished 10th in the Championship, and will be pushing for the play-off spots this time around.
The trip to Bramall Lane will provide a test of where they are at, and what they can achieve in the future.
Sheffield United vs. Birmingham City form guide & betting tips
| Sheff Utd | vs | Birmingham |
|---|---|---|
N/A |
Form | N/A |
| 0 | Points | 0 |
| 15th | Form Table | 1st |
| 0 | Goals For | 0 |
| 0 | Goals Against | 0 |
WWWDW |
Form (All Comps) | WWWWW |
Whispers predicts: Sheffield United 1-1 Birmingham City
Sheff Utd are 6/4 (2.50) favourites to win with bookies, but given Birmingham's impressive pre-season form and higher finish last season, we are willing to back against them.
A Draw at 12/5 (3.40) therefore appeals as an opening bet, while Under 2.5 goals at 5/6 (1.83) could also come through in what we are expecting to be a close encounter.
In terms of player bets, Patrick Bamford netted the opener for Sheff Utd against Mansfield, and also scored in the corresponding fixture last term.
Bamford to score anytime at 9/4 (3.25) is our final pick, while our 1-1 prediction is also available at 11/2 (6.50).
> Under 2.5 goals at 5/6 (1.83) | Likelihood: Probable
> Bamford to score anytime at 9/4 (3.25) | Likelihood: Possible
> Draw at 12/5 (3.40) | Likelihood: Outsider