Cambridge vs Birmingham Prediction: Blues set for another slow start

League 2 Cambridge United will look to capitalise on Championship outfit Birmingham City's poor away form when they meet in the FA Cup third round on Saturday (17:45 GMT, TNT Sports 6) at the Cledara Abbey Stadium.

The two teams were league rivals last season, with the Blues coming out on top in both fixtures. Read on for my Cambridge vs Birmingham predictions, including the latest match odds and team news.

Team News

Cambridge are missing captain and defender Michael Morrison, who played for Birmingham between 2014-19, due to injury.

Neil Harris' side are unbeaten in six matches and he is unlikely to tinker too much with his team given the good run they are on. He and his players will also relish a test against a team two tiers higher than them.

Football Odds

Birmingham have been left even lighter in defensive areas with Eiran Cashin's loan being terminated. The Brighton & Hove Albion defender has now joined Blackburn Rovers for the rest of the season.

The Blues are planning to be busy in the winter transfer window but it seems as though some players will need to be moved on for others to come in. There are talks taking place with Sunderland over converting Patrick Roberts' loan deal into a permanent transfer.

Lewis Koumas, who scored his first goal for the club in last Sunday's 3-2 league win over Coventry, could potentially return to parent club Liverpool this month. A report from local journalist Neil Moxley also had Willum Willumsson, Alfons Sampsted, Keshi Anderson and Marc Leonard as players who could also depart the club in the coming weeks.

Lee Buchanan (knee), Ethan Laird (hamstring), Demarai Gray (calf), Alex Cochrane (muscle) and Anderson (knock) are all set to miss this game due to injury.

Captain Christoph Klarer is back available following a three-game suspension.

Today's Football Fixtures

Cambridge vs Birmingham Odds

Cambridge have won three of their last four home games in all competitions and they are 7/2 (implied probability of 22.2%) to stun Birmingham in regulation time.

The U's have drawn five of their past eight matches and the stalemate is priced at 5/2.

Birmingham are 8/11 to get the job done in 90 minutes but they have just two away wins all season.

The Blues' talisman struck a penalty against Cambridge in League 1 last term and he is the 7/5 favourite to score anytime.

First Team To Score - Cambridge @ 7/4

Birmingham's dreadful away form is well-documented. They have been one of the worst travellers in the Championship, with eight points from a possible 39. Cambridge, who are unbeaten in 14 matches (in regulation time), will sense an opportunity for an upset here, and I wouldn't be surprised to see them start off on the front foot.

The Blues' away woes have become psychological and boss Chris Davies needs to address this as a priority as it is hampering their play-off push. I can't believe thar Cambridge are 7/4 to score the first goal in this cup tie - especially as Birmingham have conceded the opening goal in each of their previous seven away trips in 2025/26.

Both Teams To Score - Yes @ 5/6

The Blues have had their spirits lifted after their triumph over league leaders Coventry City on Sunday, which ended a seven-game winless streak. It was a strong result and performance but it doesn't deflect away from how poor their away performances have been.

Against lower opposition, they will look to make a step in the right direction. Cambridge have a strong defensive record but they will be facing some quality operators in the likes of Stansfield, Patrick Roberts and Marvin Ducksch.

Birmingham may have a false start at the Abbey, but I'd fancy them to sync up sooner rather than later. I think covering BTTS - Yes appeals as a result. This has been a winning selection in three of the Blues' last four fixtures heading into Saturday.

There were also goals at both ends when the two teams met here in League 1 last season, with Birmingham winning 2-1 on the day they were presented with the title.

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