Birmingham City entertain Fulham at St Andrews’ in the second round of 2024-25 Carabao Cup.
Victory would see Birmingham reach the third round for the first time since 2015-16 season.
Fulham meanwhile are looking to advance from this stage for the fourth time in five seasons.
Team News
Ben Davies could be in contention for his Birmingham debut following his loan move from Rangers.
Lee Buchanan (calf) remains side-lined until mid September.
Fulham have no fresh injury concerns to report after their win against Leicester in the Premier League.
Manager, Marco Silva though has confirmed that he will rotate his squad, with Steven Benda, Jorge Cuenca and Ryan Sessegnon amongst fringe players looking for a start.
When is Kick-Off?
Birmingham host Fulham at St Andrews’ on Tuesday 27 August at 8pm BST, live on Sky Sports Football in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Birmingham have lost their two previous League Cup meetings against Fulham (L2).
- Both of Fulham’s two previous League Cup wins over Birmingham came away at St Andrews’.
- Birmingham are yet to score against Fulham in this competition.
- Birmingham City have won two of their last six home ties in this competition (W2, L4).
- Fulham have kept one clean sheet in their last five away matches (W2, D1, L2), with that clean sheet coming away at Birmingham in August 2021.
Prediction
Although Birmingham City have adapted well to life in the third tier, their sole clean sheet came in the first round of this competition at Charlton but face a huge step up in opposition, so a resilient defence could be as key as their clinical attack.
Fulham meanwhile impressively utilised their pace on the flanks to outclass Leicester with a proper intensity on the attack, so I would like to see the fringe players step up and deliver something similar.
Should that indeed happen then they should take victory here, but Chris Davies’ Blues should get their first League Cup goal against Fulham if can play like they’ve done this season.
Prediction: Birmingham City 1-2 Fulham
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