The 2025/26 EFL Cup has been underway for a couple of weeks now as a result of the new preliminary round brought in to affect as a result of nine English clubs qualifying for UEFA competition this season, but the first round is now here.
We have two teams that are expecting to challenge for promotion in the Championship facing off as Birmingham City take on Sheffield United at St Andrew’s.
The Blues were denied an opening day victory against Ipswich due to a controversial late penalty in the second-city, forcing them to settle for a 1-1 draw, whilst Ruben Selles’ tenure as Blades boss began in humiliation as they were hammered 4-1 by Bristol City at Bramall Lane.
The Sporting News takes you through the latest odds, tips and predictions for this one.
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EFL Cup 2025/26: Birmingham vs. Sheffield United prediction
Birmingham went on a good run in the FA Cup last year and having another in the EFL Cup will only bring further attention to their project and a United side already in disarray could be there for the taking.
Birmingham are currently priced up at 11/10 with Sky Bet, whilst Sheffield United are the underdogs with the bookmaker at 21/10, with the draw priced up at 11/5.
The Sporting News' Score Prediction: Birmingham 2-0 Sheffield United
- Birmingham are rated as a 47.6% implied chance to beat Sheffield United at St Andrew’s by Sky Bet.
- Learn more about reading odds, different types of bets and the best online betting sites through our how to bet on football guide
Birmingham vs. Sheffield United expected lineups
Here's how we think these two sides will line up for this EFL Cup clash.
Birmingham lineup (4-2-3-1, right to left)
- Beadle (GK) — Laird, Klarer, Cashin, Cochrane — Doyle, Paik — Willumsson, Stansfield, Anderson — Dykes
Injured: Fujimoto, Wright, Ducksch
Suspended: None
Sheffield United lineup (3-4-3, right to left)
- Davies (GK) — Seriki, Bindon, Norrington-Davies, McCallum — Peck, Ukaki — Brooks, O’Hare, One — Cannon
Injured: Shackleton, Davies, Arblaster
Suspended: None
Birmingham vs. Sheffield United latest odds, correct score betting
Our 2-0 prediction is at decent odds with Paddy Power, but there are plenty of other possible score lines that are worth looking at for this one. Here's a look at some of the most likely outcomes according to the bookmakers.
Result | Odds* |
1-1 Draw | |
Birmingham 1-0 | |
Birmingham 2-1 | |
Sheffield United 1-0 | |
Birmingham 2-0 |
*Click odds to bet direct with our selected partners. Odds correct at time of publish.
Back your correct score pick with Sky Bet for £50 in FREE bets when you bet £10 on accas
Birmingham vs. Sheffield United team news
- There could well be some rotation from the hosts here, with Lyndon Dykes likely keen to put his handball that gave Ipswich their late penalty behind him.
- New signing Marvin Ducksch is likely going to have to wait for his debut due to a calf injury, whilst fellow new signing Kanya Fujimoto is also sidelined alongside Scott Wright.
- Sheffield United remain without three longer term absentees for this one, as Jamie Shackleton remains unavailable alongside midfield duo Tom Davies and Ollie Arblaster.
- Following the sales of Anel Ahmedhodzic, Vinicius Souza and Kieffer Moore; speculation remains over the futures of Jack Robinson and Gustavo Hamer, so their involvement remains up in the air.
Birmingham vs. Sheffield United Bet Builder tips
Our bet builder for this game is Birmingham to score two or more goals in the game at 10/3 with Sky Bet, and, to boost those odds, Sheffield United to collect the most cards (11/10), which totals to 6.1/1 as a build a bet.
You can check out the latest odds and bet direct with our selected partners using the bet builder tool below.
Birmingham have to be seen as the favourites here, and their performance against Ipswich the other day was impressive so the likes of Jay Stansfield, Kyogo Furuhashi, or even whoever comes in as rotation, will be confident of notching.
Sheffield United have already been given a Phil Brown-esque telling off by Selles, and the morale is unlikely to be overly positive so, as they chase the game, that could lead to them becoming more and more frustrated in this game.
How to watch Birmingham vs. Sheffield United in the EFL Cup: Live stream, TV channel
- Date: Wednesday, August 12
- Venue: St Andrew’s, Birmingham, England
- Time: 8 p.m. BST
- TV/Stream: Sky Sports, Sky Go