Sheffield United will take on Birmingham at St Andrew's Stadium on Wednesday, 13 August in the first round of this season's Carabao Cup.
The match puts together two Championship teams who, before a ball was kicked at the weekend, were expected to be among the promotion candidates.
However, after Sheffield United's dismal performance against Bristol City, these predictions may need to be revised.
As part of this week's round of Carabao Cup betting tips, check out our Sheffield United vs Birmingham prediction below.
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Birmingham vs Sheffield United prediction: Can the Blues pile on the pressure?
Key stats
- Birmingham have scored two or more goals in four of their last six competitive matches.
- Sheffield United have conceded seven goals across their last two matches.
- Birmingham have have won five of their last six competitive matches.
Correct score prediction: Birmingham 2-1 Sheffield United
Although Birmingham have been playing against weaker opposition in recent times, due to their season in League One, the Blues looked far more prepared for the new season at the weekend than the Blades. The pressure on Sheffield United is now ramped up and Birmingham can capitalise on this with a strong performance in Yorkshire.
Pre-game odds and win probability: The visitors are considered underdogs
- HOME: 6/5 (2.20) – 45.5%
- DRAW: 5/2 (3.50) – 28.6%
- AWAY: 11/5 (3.20) – 31.3%
*Odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
The Sheffield United vs Birmingham odds indicate that Sheffield United are the outsiders. Ladbrokes have made Birmingham the slight favourites, giving them a 45.5% chance of winning the match inside 90 minutes, while Shef Utd have been given a 31.3% chance of victory.
Don’t forget to check out more of our best betting tips and predictions for the week ahead.
Most recent H2Hs: Advantage Blades
Sheffield United have the upper hand in the recent H2H record, with the Blades winning two and drawing one of their last three matches against Birmingham City. The last time that the Blues managed to beat Sheffield United was in a Championship fixture in August 2021, played at Bramall Lane, when they ran out as 1-0 winners.
England Championship 08/05/23
Birmingham
Sheff Utd
England Championship 01/10/22
Sheff Utd
Birmingham
England Championship 04/02/22
Birmingham
Sheff Utd
England Championship 07/08/21
Sheff Utd
Birmingham
England Championship 10/04/19
Birmingham
Sheff Utd
Birmingham preview: Looking for a scalp
Birmingham City manager Chris Davies could go with a strong starting XI here to try and make Sheffield United's start to the season even more uncomfortable than it already is. Regardless, they do have some injury problems, with Scott Wright, Marvin Ducksch and Kanya Fujimoto all in the treatment room.
Predicted lineup: Beadle (GK), Laird, Cashin, Bielik, Cochrane, Doyle, Leonard, Willumsson, Anderson, Gray, Dykes
England League 1 03/05/25
W
Cambridge Utd
1
Birmingham
2
England League 1 30/04/25
W
Blackpool
0
Birmingham
2
England League 1 27/04/25
W
Mansfield
0
Birmingham
4
England League 1 24/04/25
W
Stevenage
0
Birmingham
1
England League 1 21/04/25
W
Burton Albion
1
Birmingham
2
Sheffield United preview: Can they bounce back?
Sheffield United manager Ruben Selles wasn't an overly popular pick when he was appointed manager in the summer, and he now has even more work to do to convince some supporters. He has big decisions to make this week – does he go strong to try and calm the situation down with a win or rotate as planned? Oliver Arblaster, Tom Davies and Jamie Shackleton are all out injured
Predicted lineup: Davies (GK), Seriki, Bindon, Norrington-Davies, McCallum, Soumare; Ukaki, Peck, O’Hare, Barry, Cannon
England Championship 12/05/25
W
Bristol City
0
Sheff Utd
3
England Championship 08/05/25
W
Bristol City
0
Sheff Utd
3
England Championship 03/05/25
D
Blackburn
1
Sheff Utd
1
England Championship 25/04/25
W
Stoke
0
Sheff Utd
2
England Championship 21/04/25
L
Burnley
2
Sheff Utd
1
Player to watch: Lyndon Dykes
There is still a chance that Lyndon Dykes is sold by Birmingham this summer, as the Scotland international hasn't done enough in a Birmingham shirt to suggest he has what it takes to succeed for them in the second tier. Last season, Dyke only managed to score one goal in League One, so he will be keen to make the most of his chance in the EFL Cup this week.