Bristol City vs Walsall prediction, betting tips and bet builder – Tolaj on target on debut?

The first round of the EFL Cup kicks off Thursday night with Championship side Bristol City hosting League Two team Walsall at Ashton Gate.

Bristol City vs Walsall betting tips

Bristol City vs Walsall predicted lineups

Bristol City (4-2-3-1): Tickle (GK); Tanner, Dickie, Eissat, Pring; Randell, Bird; Horvat, Twine, Greenwood; Tolaj

Walsall (4-3-3): Ward (GK); Browne, Skura, Leak, Hancock; Pattison, Maher, Sprangler; Adomah, Pressley, Dallas

Bristol City vs Walsall head to head overview

Bristol City vs Walsall prediction

Bristol City kick off the first round of the EFL Cup this season with a home match against Walsall to whet the appetite for a mouthwatering opening weekend of the EFL season.

For the hosts, it will also mark Michael Skubala’s first competitive match as manager of the club following his move from League One champions Lincoln in the summer after former England manager Roy Hodgson’s short spell at Ashton Gate came to an end in May.

A 12th placed finish in the Championship seemed a little underwhelming for the Robins last season, bearing in mind they’d reached the play offs for the first time in 17 years the campaign before.

The intent shown by the club’s signings of players and manager this summer suggest the West Country side will be hoping to be back knocking on the door of the play offs once again this time around, particularly with the new expanded version, where the top eight now all have a shot at promotion.

It’s been a hit and miss pre-season for the Robins so far this summer, the highlight no doubt being a 4-1 thrashing of Newcastle in what turned out to be Eddie Howe’s final night as manager, though draws against Newport, Plymouth and Exeter and even a 2-0 defeat to Stockport show there are still improvements to be made before their league campaign kicks off against Millwall next weekend.

Thursday night’s match will also mark the first game under Lee Grant’s tutelage after the former Huddersfield manager was announced as Darren Byfield’s successor.

The Saddlers are gearing up for their eighth consecutive season in the fourth tier of English football following their disappointing 13th placed finish last time out, a year on from when they mounted a serious promotion charge, spending almost the entire season in the automatic promotion places before losing to Wimbledon in the play-off final at Wembley.

The West Midlands side have made 10 new signings ahead of the upcoming season, several of which are expected to make their debuts for the club at Asthon Gate on Thursday night.

Bristol City have by far the stronger squad and should make fairly light work of their opponents from two divisions below them, though the Saddlers will be equally eager to impress their new boss ahead of the begging of their league campaign next week – perhaps a 3-1 home win seems the most likely outcome.

Bristol City vs Walsall best bets

Reds go marching on

Bristol City start the new season with the hope of securing a top eight finish in the Championship and a place in the play offs as they hunt a first season in the top flight since 1980.

The club recruited well, both in terms of players and manager, and will be looking to make the perfect start against a Walsall side who perhaps hold less optimistic feelings around the new season.

Tolaj torments sorry Saddlers

One of Bristol City’s new faces is the Swiss striker Lorent Tolaj, who joined for around £4m after scoring 22 goals in 39 matches for League One side Plymouth last season, in his first full season in the third tier, and is seen as ready to make the step up to the Championship this year.

The 24-year-old has already scored three goals in pre-season for the Robins, including one against Newcastle. Tolaj also scored twice in his last appearance against Walsall, while playing for Port Vale in April 2025.

Bristol City vs Walsall latest odds

Find the latest Bristol City vs Walsall betting odds here, odds courtesy of Tote and are subject to change.

• Bristol City – 4/11
• Draw – 15/4
• Walsall – 7/1

More EFL predictions

Find more predictions and betting tips from our expert punters in our match previews for the start of the new season!

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