Birmingham City head into tonight’s tie as favourites, and on paper, this should be an away win.
Gary Rowett’s side won their opening game of the season after a last minute penalty save from new boy Tomasz Kuszczak, whereas Bristol Rovers’ return to the Football League was not the fairytale one they’d hoped for.
As we all know, however, that means nothing. The cup has a habit of throwing up weird results, and the Blues will have to be at their best to avoid an upset. Bristol Rovers have little to lose and are likely to be up for the game at their home stadium, the Memorial Ground.
The Championship side are likely to shuffle their team, with four youth players yesterday handed squad numbers, including talented midfielder Reece Brown. Rovers have an injury to their main ‘keeper, Will Puddy, so Steve Mildenhall will almost certainly start tonight.
Though Birmingham City look good value at 6/5, you might want to exercise caution, given the cup’s tendency to throw curveballs in terms of results. The draw no bet at 13/21 may be a slightly safer bet.
