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Sheffield United have drawn newly promoted Birmingham City in the opening round of the 2025/26 Carabao Cup.
Sheffield United are heading into tonight’s Carabao Cup clash with Birmingham City on the back of an embarrassing 4-1 defeat at home to Bristol City.
In Ruben Selles’ first Championship game in charge of the Blades, Bristol City enacted their revenge from May’s play-off campaign with a resounding victory at Bramall Lane.
Bristol City beat Sheffield United handsomely thanks to a brace from Scott Twine, with the defeat leading one Sheffield United fan to want Selles sacked despite it being his first competitive game at the helm.
Therefore, Selles needs to build morale for the Blades, which will be difficult in the cup clash against the newly promoted Blues, who will be a “difficult opponent” for Sheffield United in the boss’ eyes.
Sheffield United boss Ruben Selles comments on Birmingham City ahead of clash
In the wake of Sheffield United’s “frightening” Bristol City defeat, the mood has soured at Bramall Lane given the turgid start to the season.
Sheffield United are Championship title favourites this season, according to the OPTA supercomputer projections, but the Blades sit rock bottom of the table after game week one.
Next up for the Blades are league rivals Birmingham, who held Ipswich to a draw in the 2025/26 Championship curtain-raiser on Friday evening.
Ahead of the cup clash, Selles has admitted that he is expecting a “difficult” test this evening (August 13) but is intent on blocking out the “noise” around the record-breaking League One title winners.
Selles told his Sheffield United press conference: “I don’t pay too much attention to the noise, we played them last season with Reading in the first game of the season in League One.
“They had a fantastic season in League One. Yes, they have that financial support everyone talks about, but at the end, you need to transform that into results, and they did.
“They had a great first game of the season, even though they drew in the final part of the game versus Ipswich. I think they were dominant and controlling. It’s going to be a difficult opponent.”
Pressure is on Ruben Selles after Sheffield United vs Bristol City
The heavy defeat to promotion rivals Bristol City was a severe wake-up call for Selles and Sheffield United.
As well as the effects on the pitch, the game had unintended consequences off the pitch regarding the future of Rhys Norrington-Davies.
Selles withdrew the Blades defender after a torrid first-half display, with his substitution met by sarcastic cheers from the Bramall Lane faithful, and now QPR want Norrington-Davies.
It would be a surprise to see Selles start the centre-back against the Blues following his display against the Robins, given the importance of a victory this evening.
Birmingham will be buoyed by their impressive display against fellow title chasers Ipswich, and Selles must mastermind a win against Chris Davies’ side to stop the snowball of Sheffield United’s start to the season.