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EFL Cup | First Round
Aug 10, 2021 at 7.45pm UK
St Andrew's
CU

Birmingham
1 - 0
Colchester

Oakley (75')
FT(HT: 0-0)

(77'), Sarpong-Wiredu (90')

Preview: Birmingham City vs. Colchester United - prediction, team news, lineups

:Headline: Preview: Birmingham City vs. Colchester United - prediction, team news, lineups:
Sports Mole previews Tuesday's EFL Cup clash between Birmingham City and Colchester United, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Sports Mole

Birmingham City will host Colchester United in the first round of the EFL Cup on Tuesday looking to pick up consecutive victories after defeating Sheffield United on the opening day of the Championship season.

The League Two team will play their second competitive game of the season at St Andrew's, competing against the Blues for the first time since 2007.


Match preview

Colchester United head into this game on the back of a 0-0 draw in their opening fixture of the season where Hayden Mullins's men battled against Carlisle United in a game that featured the debuts of several new faces.

The U's narrowly avoided relegation in 2020-21 by finishing in 20th place, and Mullins will be looking for a much stronger run in his first full season in charge of the club.

The Colchester boss took over as interim manager at the end of May and managed to help keep them in the Football League with an impressive run of form.

However, Colchester have not had the greatest preparation due to a difficult pre-season campaign which saw the team fail to pick up a single victory, with three draws and as many defeats.

Despite that, Colchester have a fond history in the EFL Cup and the club have proven themselves to be giant killers in the past, having reached the quarter-final during the 2019-20 tournament, knocking out Tottenham Hotspur along the way.

Colchester were also drawn against Championship opposition in the first round of the competition last season, in a game that Reading won 3-1 at the Madejski Stadium.

Birmingham and Colchester have only met five times in their history and the U's have never been able to pick up a victory, with the two sides having drawn twice, while the Blues have won on three occasions.

That is something that Lee Bowyer will be looking to continue, especially considering Birmingham's history in this competition, having lifted the trophy back in 2011 after defeating Arsenal in the final.

Bowyer transformed the club last season, helping to guide them away from relegation, just as his counterpart in the Colchester dugout did, after taking over in March to help Birmingham finish 18th in the league.

The Blues had a difficult test to kick off the new season as well, travelling to Bramall Lane to face former Premier League side Sheffield United, but a goal from Maxime Colin secured a 1-0 win against one of the favourites for promotion, despite only having 24% possession throughout the game.

Bowyer's squad will now be aiming to continue that run of form and improve upon their first-round exit in the EFL Cup last season at the hands of Cambridge United.

Birmingham City form (all competitions):
  • W
  • D
  • L
  • L
  • W

Colchester United form (all competitions):
  • L
  • L
  • L
  • D
  • D
  • D

Team News

Lee Bowyer has brought in several new faces during the transfer market with the likes of Dion Sanderson and Tahith Chong joining on loan from Premier League clubs, while Ryan Woods and Chuks Aneke were also signed on permanent contracts.

Both Chong and Woods shone against Sheffield United and can be expected to retain their places in the starting lineup, while Aneke could be in contention to be given some minutes after not being used in the league opener.

One name that Birmingham City will likely be without is Neil Etheridge due to coronavirus, and with the goalkeeper still recovering Matija Sarkic is set to keep his spot in the team.

Bowyer may also use this cup fixture as a chance to give more minutes to Ivan Sunjic, who appeared from the bench against Sheffield United as he continues to regain his fitness after missing part of pre-season due to injury.

Colchester have also strengthened this summer, and Cole Skuse walked straight into the starting lineup against Carlisle, impressing in the middle of the park which is a position he will likely take up against Birmingham.

This game could also mark the opportunity for Jake Turner to make his debut for the club after joining the U's on loan until January from Premier League side Newcastle United.

Birmingham City possible starting lineup:
Sarkic; Roberts, Dean, Pedersen; Colin, Sunjic, Woods, Chong, Bela; Hogan, Aneke

Colchester United possible starting lineup:
Turner; Eastman, Chambers, Smith; Clampin, Judge, Skuse, Sarpong-Wiredu, Coxe; Nouble, Sears


We say: Birmingham City 2-0 Colchester United

Birmingham City are the obvious favourites heading into this game due to the fact they are two divisions higher than their opponents, and after such an impressive start to the season the momentum will certainly be with them.

While Colchester United can certainly provide a stern test for the Blues, Lee Bowyer's men should have a little too much quality to be knocked out at this stage.



Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting a home win in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Home Win:data




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Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Birmingham CityBirmingham1292123111229
2Wycombe WanderersWycombe1282226161026
3Wrexham1374221101125
4Mansfield TownMansfield127322014624
5Lincoln CityLincoln137332016424
6Bolton WanderersBolton137242219323
7Huddersfield TownHuddersfield137151912722
8Barnsley136432118322
9Reading137152120122
10Stockport CountyStockport135622012821
11Exeter CityExeter126151310319
12Charlton AthleticCharlton135441514119
13Peterborough UnitedPeterborough145362526-118
14Rotherham UnitedRotherham144551416-217
15Stevenage145271015-517
16Blackpool134452125-416
17Bristol Rovers135171520-516
18Northampton TownNorthampton134361720-315
19Wigan AthleticWigan133551211114
20Leyton Orient133281118-711
21Cambridge UnitedCambridge123181117-610
22Crawley TownCrawley133191225-1310
23Shrewsbury TownShrewsbury1422101325-128
24Burton Albion120481325-124
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