Carabao Cup Wednesday predictions: Blues too sharp for Blades
Birmingham, Sheffield United and Leicester all in Carabao Cup action in midweek
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The EFL Cup first round continues on Wednesday, with five matches taking place, including a mouth-watering clash between potential Championship title rivals Birmingham and Sheffield United.
There are four games kicking off before that scintillating St Andrew's showdown, including a tie which finished 7-0 when the pair last met in the EFL Cup.
The latest Carabao Cup odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Bolton could stun struggling Owls
There is some indication that there could be light at the end of the tunnel for Sheffield Wednesday, with former Crystal Palace shareholder John Textor reportedly leading a takeover bid to free them from Dejphon Chansiri’s shackles, although that may take a while to materialise.
Until then, Wednesday remain a club in crisis. They have just 15 first-team players in their squad, a number which has been further depleted ahead of the midweek EFL Cup trip to Bolton, with Yan Valery and Nathaniel Chalobah injured and key man Barry Bannan suspended.
A youthful Owls side will have to take to the field at the Toughsheet Community Stadium and that leaves them looking vulnerable against Steven Schumacher’s Bolton, who will be full of confidence after beating promotion hopefuls Plymouth 2-0 in League One on Saturday.
It took Wanderers just 20 minutes to take the lead against Argyle and they should make a similarly fast start against Wednesday to lead at the break before coming out on top overall.
Back Bolton/Bolton Half Time/Full Time at 17/20 with LiveScore Bet
Exeter can increase Town's woes
Cheltenham are one of five League Two sides yet to pick up a point this term, with the Robins failing to even score a goal while losing their opening two matches in the fourth tier.
That is bad reading ahead of a visit from League One Exeter, although not as nightmarish as the fact they were routed 7-0 by the Grecians in this competition just three years ago.
Michael Flynn will be hoping to avoid such an embarrassing result this time around, although a defeat still looks likely, with Exeter arriving full of confidence following a 4-1 thrashing of Steve Bruce’s promotion-chasing Blackpool at the weekend.
Back Exeter to win at 11/10 with LiveScore Bet
Blues tipped to bury Blades
The standout clash on Wednesday’s schedule is undoubtedly Birmingham’s visit from Sheffield United and if the teams' Championship openers are anything to go by, it should be a routine win for the Blues.
Chris Davies' side were the better team against title favourites Ipswich, only being denied all three points due to a controversial late penalty, while the Blades suffered a shocking 4-1 home defeat to Bristol City.
Both teams are likely to rotate, but with Birmingham splashing far more cash than United over the past two seasons, that is sure to play into the hosts' hands for this tie.
