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Birmingham City v Sheffield United - Aug 14

Matchday: Birmingham City v Sheffield United - Aug 14

Event overview Discussion (9)
BluZ

BluZ

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This thread is for the general discussion of the Birmingham City v Sheffield United - Aug 14. Please add to the discussion here.


🔴 Sheffield United: Opposition Focus​

Carabao Cup, 14th August | St. Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park


Sheffield United played in the Championship in 2024/25 and pushed all the way to the play-off final, where they lost 2–1 to Sunderland on 24 May 2025.


The club appointed Rubén Sellés as manager in June 2025, replacing Chris Wilder. Expect a change of tone and tactics as Sellés settles in.


Sheffield United have added a number of summer signings to refresh the squad. Notable arrivals include Tyler Bindon on a season-long loan, Louie Barry on loan from Aston Villa, and Djibril Soumaré on a season-long loan. These additions give the Blades more depth and youth options.


Key points for matchday


  • They remain a strong Championship-level side after last season’s promotion push, so do not underestimate their quality.
  • Manager Sellés will be keen to make an early statement in cup football, so look for rotation but also purposeful tactics.
  • The new loan signings can be lively and may be used heavily in cup matches, which makes them unpredictable.
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We’d love to hear your thoughts ahead of the game! Share your opinions on the team selection, formation choices, and who you think should (or shouldn’t) have made the squad. What starting XI would you go with, and what’s your score prediction?


💬 Join the discussion right here—before, during and after the match. Let us know your pick for Player of the Match and be part of the debate as the action unfolds.


📊 Fancy testing your prediction skills? Take part in the Oceania OSC Score Prediction League! It’s never too late to join—compete with fellow fans across the region and see how you stack up.


📱 Live online watch party via WhatsApp – RSVP in the event overview if you’d like to join us online for a live chat throughout the match.


📍 Want to meet up in person? Drop a comment if you're keen to attend a local meetup with members in your area. We’re always happy to bring supporters together!
 
I hate trying to pick a score for a cup game, especially before the squad gets announced. I think the one thing we can be certain of is beetle in goal. You can work out what Siri is doing there
 
Watch out, beetles about.

If he does start I hope the crowd gets behind him. I don't want to be going into the season with another BPF as our 2nd.
 
I agree with BlueZ about player rotation, I can see Bielik, Gardner-Hickman, Leonard and Willumsson starting as well as the ones he mentioned.
The Owls will not be a push over (I don't expect any easy games this season) but I think we have enough quality in the squad to see them off, I'm going for a 2-0 scoreline.
I hope Kyogo gets some more minutes so he can continue getting used to Blues set up and the rest of the players can get used to his runs.

NZMatty...There is no extra time in Carabau cup games, if scores are equal at full time it is straight to penalties.
 
kiwipete said:
I agree with BlueZ about player rotation, I can see Bielik, Gardner-Hickman, Leonard and Willumsson starting as well as the ones he mentioned.
The Owls will not be a push over (I don't expect any easy games this season) but I think we have enough quality in the squad to see them off, I'm going for a 2-0 scoreline.
I hope Kyogo gets some more minutes so he can continue getting used to Blues set up and the rest of the players can get used to his runs.

NZMatty...There is no extra time in Carabau cup games, if scores are equal at full time it is straight to penalties.
Click to expand...
I realized that after posting- I put it down to short term memory loss. Still don’t want it to go to penalties ‘though
 
A good display but nothing special, we outplayed the Owls completely, BUT, were almost the architects of our own demise.
20 shots at goal and only 5 on target, must do better if we want to compete at the top of the championship.
 
It also appears we get referees now that don't know the rules of the game.
Just prior to Sheffield's equaliser the ball struck the referee and rebounded to Hamer who struck a beautiful shot over James Beadle.
The game should have been stopped and a drop ball given. Jay Stansfield picked up a booking for his voiciferous attempts to inform the referee of this rule
 
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