Birmingham v Swansea Competition- Sky Bet Championship Venue - Hillsborough Stadium Date - 30 August 2025 Kick off - 3pm Following their outstanding 3-2 win over Premier League Nottingham Forest in the Carabao Cup, next up for Alan Sheehan’s Swansea squad is a trip to last season’s League One winners Birmingham City. On Wednesday evening, the Swans shocked Nottingham Forest with a stunning late comeback to progress to the last 16 of the Carabao Cup and keep Ange Postecoglou waiting for his first win in charge of the visitors. Forest had looked like they were set for a comfortable victory after Igor Jesus' first-half double put them in command. But, having already got back into the tie via Cameron Burgess, Zan Vipotnik in injury time struck to seemingly send the game to penalties. However, more drama was to come as Australia international Burgess fired home from just inside the area to send Forest out and the Swans into the last 16. His compatriot Postecoglou had to watch as the visitors threw victory away to exit a competition that provided the club's last major silverware in 1990. Conversely, the Swans – League Cup winners in 2013 – enjoyed their finest cup success since relegation from the Premier League. Last Saturday, defender Bosun Lawal's looping first-half header was enough to earn Stoke City victory over Birmingham City and secure a fourth win in five Championship games this season. Lawal leapt impressively at the far post and sent his header back into the side netting past a scrambling Ryan Allsop, who was unable to claw it away under pressure. The Potters created little after that, although Sorba Thomas smashed an effort against the post before the break. But the Blues, who have now lost back-to-back league games and three in a row in all competitions, looked equally unlikely to score, failing to register a single attempt on target at the bet365 Stadium. The Swans have played the Blues on 45 previous occasions, winning 10, losing 21 and drawing 14. In the most recent encounter in Birmingham in January 2024, the teams drew 2-2: Turning to tomorrow, Birmingham will be desperate to stop the recent rot whilst the Swans will be keen to build on the momentum generated from the win over Forest and keep closing in on the Play Off places. If Stamenic has recovered from injury and plays, I think the Swans can win. However, on balance I’m going for a 1-1 draw.
After last weeks match against Hull I was sure we would lose against Birmingham. However, seeing how we showed what we are capable of against Forest, I'm really hopeful we continue in the same vein and come away with a win. That performance midweek set the bar for the standard we need to be at if we are going to challenge this season. Vipotnik has to start, it would be insane to leave him out when he's in this form. COME ON SWANS !!!
