Cheltenham vs Birmingham City Predictions, Betting Tips and Match Previews in the EFL Cup. Birmingham in search of a win to build confidence. Read on for our predictions and tips.
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Match Live Tuesday, 8th August at 7:45 pm In:
Cheltenham vs Birmingham City Predictions
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A Battle of Tactics and Legacy at the Completely-Suzuki Stadium
Key Stats
– Birmingham’s Siriki Dembélé boasts a stellar BettingTips4You Expert Rating of 7.70 this season.
– Cheltenham’s EFL Cup journey has never seen them progress past the third round.
On a breezy Tuesday night, Birmingham City will set foot in the Completely-Suzuki Stadium, challenging League One side Cheltenham Town, as their EFL Cup journey takes off. The Blues, having settled for a commendable draw with Swansea City in their Championship opener, are keen to build on that momentum. On the flip side, Cheltenham, despite their impressive record since clinching the fourth-tier title in 2021, had a shaky start this season with a loss against Shrewsbury Town.
A Dive into History
Under the watchful eye of ex-Birmingham midfielder Wade Elliott, Cheltenham Town boast an unbeaten streak at the Completely-Suzuki Stadium, since the catastrophic 4-0 defeat by Barnsley in February. However, the Robins’ road ahead looks challenging, especially with the departure of Alfie May, their star striker, who made a significant impact with 20 goals in the 2022-23 season.
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Interestingly, Cheltenham’s history with the EFL Cup has been bittersweet. The Robins have yet to advance beyond the third round, and just last year, suffered a crushing 7-0 defeat by Exeter City.
On the other hand, Birmingham City hold cherished memories of the EFL Cup. The highlight undoubtedly being their triumph against Arsenal in the 2011 final, a feat orchestrated by Alex McLeish’s Premier League Blues. Since then, the competition has served as a springboard for nurturing budding talents, like Jude Bellingham, who made his senior debut back in August 2019.
The Current Scenario
Fast forward to now, John Eustace’s Birmingham are in the spotlight once again. Their recent clash against Swansea City saw Siriki Dembele netting a goal, thanks to the relentless efforts of Keshi Anderson and Scott Hogan. However, a determined equaliser from Jerry Yates made sure both teams shared the spoils. The Blues are no strangers to the Completely-Suzuki Stadium, having triumphed over Cheltenham in a five-goal friendly match this past June.
Looking at the Lineup
For the upcoming clash, Cheltenham are likely missing the services of Elliot Bonds. In response, Curtis Thompson, a fresh recruit from Wycombe Wanderers, will team up with James Olayinka and Liam Sercombe in the midfield. On the defensive front, Elliott might opt for a trio comprising Lewis Freestone, Tom Bradbury, and Sean Long.
Birmingham will reshuffle their starting eleven. Notable changes are anticipated after the injuries to Ethan Laird and Tyler Roberts in the Swansea game. The spotlight will be on James, whose stellar preseason form might earn him a slot in the starting lineup. Furthermore, with Marc Roberts sidelined due to injury, Dion Sanderson and Kevin Long are the only center-back choices for Eustace.
Predictions
1. Both Teams to Score (BTTS)
The Attacking Proclivity: Birmingham City began their Championship campaign with a commendable 1-1 draw against Swansea City. Siriki Dembélé opened his account for Birmingham with a composed finish, highlighting the Blues’ attacking intent for the season.
Conversely, Cheltenham Town, despite losing their opening match in League One, averaged a significant 16.0 shots per game, which is an admirable figure. This suggests that they have the attacking capabilities to threaten the Birmingham defence, especially at the Completely-Suzuki Stadium where they’ve maintained an unbeaten record since February.
The Defensive Conundrum: Birmingham’s recent defensive statistics indicate they’ve conceded a goal in their recent game. Similarly, Cheltenham’s record shows they’ve let in a goal in their opening fixture, pointing towards potential vulnerabilities at the back for both sides.
Taking both these factors into account, a ‘Both Teams to Score’ market seems to be a well-justified prediction. Both teams have the attacking firepower, and given the occasional lapses in their defence, it’s probable that each side will find the back of the net.
2. Correct Score: 2-1 in favour of Birmingham City
Past Performance Indicators: The most recent head-to-head at the Completely-Suzuki Stadium was a five-goal thriller that ended in Birmingham’s favour. Coupling this with Birmingham’s Championship pedigree, it suggests they could edge out their League One opponents in a tight game.
Team Dynamics: With Cheltenham’s unyielding home record and Birmingham’s attacking firepower, epitomised by the likes of Siriki Dembélé, it’s feasible to expect a closely contested match. A 2-1 scoreline in favour of Birmingham appears to be a likely outcome, given the balance of play, past encounters, and the attacking proclivities of both sides.
3. Goalscorer Prediction: Siriki Dembélé
The Form Guide: Dembélé began his Championship campaign on a high note, netting for Birmingham in their 1-1 draw against Swansea City. His early form suggests he’s in the groove and will be a pivotal figure in Birmingham’s attacking setup.
Versatility and Positioning: Siriki Dembélé’s agility, speed, and his natural ability to be at the right place at the right time makes him a prime candidate for a goalscorer. Given Cheltenham’s recent defensive record – conceding against Shrewsbury Town in their previous match – Dembélé could exploit these gaps and continue his scoring run.
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