Birmingham City host Port Vale on Tuesday night as the Carabao Cup second round gets underway.
Birmingham City make the quick turnaround from Championship action to face Port Vale in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night. BCFC welcome the League One side to St. Andrew’s after beating Sheffield United in the first round.
Goals from Kyogo Furuhashi and Jay Stansfield saw the Blues progress despite a halfway-line strike from Gustavo Hamer.
Chris Davies’ side will be big favourites here and are just a couple days removed from a home win in the Championship, defeating Oxford United thanks to Paik Seung-ho’s 40th-minute goal.
Image courtesy of: ANDREW BOYERS/REUTERS.
As for Port Vale, they make the trip to Birmingham City having beaten fellow League One side Blackpool to make it to this stage. Loan man Mo Faal scored the only goal of the game to book their spot in the second round.
ADVERTISEMENT 
It has been a challenging start to life in the third tier for PVFC though. They are yet to taste victory in their opening five games and sit in the bottom three at this early stage, registering just two points from a possible 15.
Darren Moore’s side were beaten 1-0 by fellow promotion-winners Doncaster Rovers on Saturday, so confidence isn’t too high within the Valiants’ squad coming into this one.
Here, a handful of our writers make their predictions for the game…
James Ray
“Cup games can throw up surprises and there should be no completely writing off anyone, but there is a clear favourite to progress here.
“Birmingham City are settling well in the Championship and their deep squad should help them maintain a solid cup run too. Of course, fixtures dictate just how successful these campaigns can be, but BCFC have got a pretty friendly draw in League One opponents on home turf.
Image courtesy of: CARL RECINE/REUTERS.
“Port Vale are struggling too, and the sale of Lorient Tolaj won’t help. Darren Moore sides fight hard and he’ll be out to pull off a surprise here, but for more, there will be a clear winner, and it will be the hosts.”
Prediction: Birmingham City 3-0 Port Vale
Harry Mail
“Birmingham City have made a strong start to the season and will want to keep their momentum going. BCFC have the chance here to make some changes and play some fringe players and youngsters.
“Port Vale have found the step up to League One tough so far this term. PVFC will be low on confidence and will be in for a tricky test against the Blues here.
“I can see Chris Davies making some selection decisions but he will put out a team strong enough to win. I think the hosts will get through to the next round with ease.”
Prediction: Birmingham City 3-1 Port Vale