The Blues will be hoping to continue their unbeaten streak in midweek, while the Valiants will be looking for a reprieve from their league struggles.<\/p>\n
Match preview<\/p>\n
Chris Davies<\/strong><\/a>‘s Birmingham were promoted back to the Championship<\/a> after lifting the League One<\/a> title in 2024-25, and they have made an exceptional start to this season.<\/p>\n The Blues are yet to taste defeat this term, winning three and drawing one of their four matches so far, including a 2-1 victory over Sheffield United in the first round of the EFL Cup.<\/p>\n Most recently, Davies’s side followed up a 2-1 win against Blackburn Rovers by beating Oxford United 1-0 on Saturday, courtesy of a Paik Seung-Ho<\/strong><\/a> strike shortly before half time.<\/p>\n That triumph has Birmingham fifth in the second tier, and their excellent form has fans dreaming of back-to-back promotions.<\/p>\n Turning their attention to the cup, fans of the hosts will draw confidence from the fact that the Blues have lost just one of their last 17 games at St Andrew’s, and with 14 wins in that stretch that goes back to early February, their strength on their own turf is undeniable.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Darren Moore<\/strong><\/a>‘s Port Vale were also promoted in 2024-25, though they are now in League One after finishing as runners-up in League Two<\/a>.<\/p>\n However, unlike their opponents, the Valiants have found it difficult to make the step up in division, and they have failed to win any of their five league matches this term.<\/p>\n On Saturday, Moore’s men continued their strife with a 1-0 loss against last season’s title rivals, Doncaster Rovers, a result that left them in the relegation zone.<\/p>\n That being said, Port Vale secured their only victory of the campaign across all competitions in the previous round of this cup, when they travelled to Bloomfield Road and beat Blackpool 1-0 on August 12.<\/p>\n Knowing that the odds are stacked against them in midweek, the visitors will take heart from the fact that their record on the road is significantly better than their home form, and with just one defeat – as well as four wins and three draws – from their last eight away games, supporters might even be cautiously optimistic.<\/p>\n Birmingham City EFL Cup form:<\/p>\n Birmingham City form (all competitions):<\/p>\n Port Vale EFL Cup form:<\/p>\n Port Vale form (all competitions):<\/p>\n Team News<\/p>\n Birmingham left-back Alex Cochrane<\/strong><\/a> is closing in on a return to action after he picked up a knock against Blackburn earlier this month, and while he may feature, Ethan Laird<\/strong><\/a> is likely to deputise.<\/p>\n Elsewhere, right-winger Scott Wright<\/strong><\/a> is not scheduled to be back in action until mid-September, and Willum Thor Willumsson<\/strong><\/a> should start in his place on Tuesday.<\/p>\n As for Port Vale, Moore has a fit squad to choose from, though he is likely to make a number of changes from the defeat against Doncaster.<\/p>\n For example, goalkeeper Marko Marosi<\/strong><\/a> should start between the sticks instead of Joe Gauci<\/strong><\/a>, while Jayden Stockley<\/strong><\/a> could get the nod to line up alongside Ben Waine<\/strong><\/a> in a strike partnership, rather than Mo Faal<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n Birmingham City possible starting lineup:<\/strong><\/p>\n Beadle; Osayi-Samuel, Klarer, Cashin, Laird; Iwata, Leonard; Willumsson, Doyle. Gray; Furuhashi<\/p>\n Port Vale possible starting lineup:<\/strong><\/p>\n Marosi; John, Heneghan, Humphreys; Lawrence-Gabriel, Walters, Shipley, Shorrock; Richards; Stockley, Waine<\/p>\n We say: Birmingham City 2-1 Port Vale Birmingham have enjoyed a strong campaign across all competitions so far, and their exceptional home record suggests that they may continue that with a win.<\/p>\n However, Port Vale have been resilient on the road in recent months, and they could frustrate their opponents despite the disparity in divisions.<\/p>\n For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n![\"Port](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/https:\/\/sportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net\/uploads\/2025\/08\/darren-moore-6892621727a670002.webp\"\/)
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<\/p>\n![\"SM](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/https:\/\/sportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net\/20\/33\/sm-words-green-background.png\" "\\"SM")
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