Bristol City host Walsall in the opening first-round tie of the 2026-27 Carabao Cup.
Michael Skubala’s Robins are looking to avoid suffering a second first-round exit in three seasons, whilst Walsall will seek to advance past this stage for the third time in five seasons.
Team News
Emil Riis Jakobsen and Yu Hirakawa are doubts for Bristol City after struggling with knocks in pre-season.
Sam Greenwood, Gibson Yah, Jed Wallace, Lisav Eissat, Lorent Tolaj and Dom Ballard are in line for their club debuts, whilst Sam Tickle is tipped to start in goal ahead of Bradley Collins following their moves to Ashton Gate.
Luke McNally is unlikely to be involved as he continues to recover from an ACL injury suffered in February 2025.
Walsall will welcome Stan Straw back from a groin injury suffered towards the end of last season, having sat out pre-season but recently returned to first-team training.
Alex Pattison however is ruled out until October after he suffered a hamstring injury in pre-season.
Sven Sprangler, James Connolly, Andrew Dallas, Lewis Simper, Jed Ward, Tai Sodje, Ryan Leak, Reece Smith, Isaac Moore, and Declan Skura could make their club debuts.
New loan signing – Charlie Crew is likely start from the bench after his registration is believed to had been completed by Wednesday’s midday deadline, despite not being officially announced until the evening.
When is Kick-Off?
Bristol City host Walsall at Ashton Gate on Thursday 6 August at 7:45pm BST, live on Sky Sports+ in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Bristol City won their only previous League Cup tie against Walsall 2-1 on aggregate at this stage in 1981-82 season, having won 2-0 at home then lost 1-0 away.
- Walsall lost 2-0 in their only previous League Cup visit to Bristol City in September 1981 in the first leg of their first-round tie that season.
- Bristol City have won two of their last four League Cup ties at home (W2, L2).
- Walsall have failed to win any of their three previous League Cup ties against Championship opposition this decade (L3), although they did lose on penalties to Sheffield Wednesday then Stoke in 2020 & 25 respectively after 0-0 draws.
Prediction
With a new manager at the helm in Michael Skubala and several new signings to compliment a solid squad, Bristol City surely have to be favourites because this is a chance to start the season well and lay a marker for their Championship rivals who will be watching them closely.
Walsall meanwhile are underdogs and this season is a reset following the arrival of Lee Grant after having won just five matches in the second half of last season, but two clean sheets in six pre-season friendlies is a worry so a huge improvement is required if want to cause a cupset.
I however do think that this will be a routine win for Skubala’s Robins such is the difference in quality.
Prediction: Bristol City 2-0 Walsall