Birmingham come into this EFL Cup tie in better spirits after an unbeaten run in their last three matches (W2, D1), including a narrow but confidence-boosting 1–0 win over Nottingham Forest in pre-season.

They’ll also have the psychological edge of home advantage and a recent history of being competitive against Sheffield United, even if the head-to-head slightly favours the Blades.

Sheffield United, on the other hand, are still reeling from their 4–1 opening-day Championship loss to Bristol City — a result that exposed defensive lapses and shaky organisation at the back.

While their pre-season included big wins over lower-tier sides, their recent form against stronger opposition (losses to Nice and Bristol City) suggests they’ll need a quick regroup.

Given that both sides have tended to produce tight encounters in this fixture, the key battle will be Birmingham’s structured play at home versus Sheffield’s need for a clean defensive reset.

If the Blades can shore up their backline, their attacking depth could still make the difference, but right now Birmingham look slightly steadier.

H2H