Former Owls Man And Blades Promotion-winner Tipped to Start For Blues in Cup Against Sheffield United | OneFootball

The EFL Cup first round throws up an intriguing clash at St Andrew’s on Wednesday night as Birmingham City welcome Sheffield United.

City looked as though they were going to get off to a winning start against Ipswich Town last Friday evening when Jay Stansfield smashed home into an empty net. However, a late penalty from George Hirst ensured a share of the spoils in the Championship’s curtain raiser.

Birmingham City’s Predicted Lineup Against Sheffield United

SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND – MARCH 19: Tommy Doyle of Sheffield United celebrates after the Emirates FA Cup Quarter Final match between Sheffield United and Blackburn Rovers at Bramall Lane on March 19, 2023 in Sheffield, England. (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)

Birmingham head coach Chris Davies is expected to ring the changes, according to Birmingham World, but even his rotated XI looks full of quality. Several summer signings could be set for competitive debuts, including former Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper James Beadle.

At the back, Ethan Laird should return at right-back after being a late substitute against Ipswich, with Eiran Cashin making his first start alongside skipper Krystian Bielik. Alex Cochrane is also expected to feature due to the Blues’ lack of quality depth at left-back.

In midfield, the versatile Taylor Gardner-Hickman could link with Marc Leonard, while former Blades promotion-winner Tommy Doyle, surprisingly benched last Friday, could be set to pull the strings in the number ten role.

Out wide, Willum Willumsson and Demarai Gray offer a big threat with energy and speed, while Lyndon Dykes could lead the line.

How A Changed Blues Team Can Cause the Blades Big Problems

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND – AUGUST 08: Jay Stansfield of Birmingham City celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the Sky Bet Championship match between Birmingham City and Ipswich Town at St Andrew’s at Knighthead Park on August 08, 2025 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

Davies’ side come into this game with swagger after romping to 111 points in League One last season and adding genuine Championship-level talent over the summer. Their confident and aggressive pressing style already made an impression in the season opener versus the Tractor Boys.

Given how wide open Sheffield United were against Bristol City in transition, especially down their left, Demarai Gray and Ethan Laird could prove to be a devastating partnership down Birmingham’s right.

We also saw Emil Riis Jacobsen torture United’s inexperienced and weak back line with his power, so Dykes will undoubtedly be looking to cause a similar impact.

Will Ruben Selles Make Changes to His Sheffield United Team in the Cup?

SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND – AUGUST 09: Ruben Selles, Manager of Sheffield United, talks to the team following defeat during the Sky Bet Championship match between Sheffield United and Bristol City at Bramall Lane on August 09, 2025 in Sheffield, England. (Photo by Ed Sykes/Getty Images)

Sheffield United’s 4-1 home defeat to Bristol City was not the start Selles had in mind. Defensive lapses from Rhys Norrington-Davies and a lack of balance and bite in midfield proved costly in the end, despite an energetic and entertaining first half display.

The question now is whether Selles uses this EFL Cup tie to kick-start some momentum or saves his key players for Saturday’s Championship trip to Swansea. Given the fixture congestion and the need to manage workloads, a mixture of fringe players and hungry squad members could be expected.

For the likes of Tom Cannon, Ryan Oné and Ehije Success Ukaki, it provides an opportunity to kick-on after decent individual showings in pre-season.

This game also serves as a chance to get new signing Djibril Soumare up to speed. The Senegal midfielder is expected to be a big player for United in terms of screening the defence and progressing the ball. However, the Blades must get him up to speed quickly, so he may well start on Wednesday.

The Lack of Depth in Defence is Embarrassing

One issue that will not change at St Andrews is the lack of depth at the back. The Spanish coach has very little to choose from at the back at the minute, and this was further highlighted when he brought Sam McCallum off the bench for Femi Seriki at right-back against the Robins.

United only have two senior natural centre-backs in the entire squad along with one senior right-back, who is still relatively inexperienced. And it’s for these reasons that COH Sports have been thrown into the firing line this week on social media with many Unitedites signalling their frustration at the owners for their lack of investment in the defence.

Not only is the current defensive depth borderline embarrassing, as things stand, in 12 months time, United won’t have a single senior centre-back at the club – Tyler Bindon is on loan from Nottingham Forest, and Jack Robinson’s contract is up next summer.

Supporters have claimed that the United owners are not football people. Football people or not, it isn’t difficult to understand. Give any manager in the world of football a threadbare defence and they will struggle.

Selles was named the new Sheffield United boss back in June, COH Sports wanted the 42-year-old at the helm. But, the lack of investment thus far has Selles in a terrible predicament just one game into his Blades career.