Walsall travel to Bristol City on Thursday evening the first round of the EFL Cup gets underway.
The match between City and Walsall has been brought forward 24 hours to Thursday evening to avoid a clash with the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta and the Robins will be aiming to make a flying start to their season with a win over their League Two visitors.
The Saddlers finished 12th in League Two last season, 13 points off the play-off spots but comfortably clear of a relegation scrap with 26 points between them and the bottom two.
City ended their Championship campaign in a solid mid-table 12th, 11 points behind sixth-placed play-off winners Hull City but never in real danger of threatening either the top six or the bottom three.
Under new management, the Robins will hope to push up the table and challenge for promotion, however, before turning their attention to league action, they face an EFL Cup tie that they should win comfortably.
Bristol City v Walsall Tips Summary
Best Bet - Bristol City to win and keep a clean sheet @ 11/8
Alternative Bet - Bristol City -1 on handicap @ Evens
Bet Builder - Bristol City over 2.5 goals, Lorent Tolaj first goalscorer & Over 9 corners & 12/1
Bristol City v Walsall Prediction
Best Bet: Bristol City to win and keep a clean sheet @ 11/8
City look well placed to begin the Michael Skubala era with a comfortable victory and a clean sheet against a Walsall side that has struggled badly for goals throughout pre-season.
The Robins have looked sharp during their summer preparations, losing just two of seven friendlies, including an impressive 4-1 victory over Newcastle United.
Skubala's Lincoln City side were built on defensive organisation, conceding just 41 goals on their way to promotion form League One last season and that solidity should quickly translate to Ashton Gate.
Walsall arrive without a pre-season victory and, more worryingly, without a single goal in four friendly matches. They also face a significant jump in quality against a Championship squad strengthened by several summer additions.
City's superior attacking options should provide enough firepower to settle the contest, while their organised backline is expected to keep a blunt Saddlers attack at bay in what looks an ideal opening fixture for the Robins.
Alternative Bet: Bristol City -1 on handicap @ Evens
Backing City on the -1 handicap looks an excellent option given the gulf between the two sides.
Skubala has inherited a talented Championship squad and added further quality during the summer, while confidence is high following a productive pre-season.
Walsall have endured a miserable build-up, failing to win any of their friendlies and failing to score throughout pre-season preparations.
Their lack of attacking threat makes it difficult to see them troubling a home defence expected to improve under Skubala's guidance.
Even with some rotation ahead of the Championship opener, the Robins possess far greater quality throughout the squad and should have enough to win by at least two goals if they perform anywhere near their potential.
Bristol City v Walsall Bet Builder Tip
Bristol City over 2.5 goals
Lorent Tolaj first goalscorer
Over 9 corners
Pays 12/1
City can score at least three goals against a Walsall side yet to score in pre-season.
Skubala's attacking philosophy has already been evident after his side hit four against Newcastle.
Summer signing Lorent Tolaj has settled quickly with three pre-season goals following his 21-goal campaign with Plymouth Argyle last term, making him an excellent first goalscorer selection.
Over nine corners also looks like a strong bet, with City matches averaging 10 corners per game last season and Walsall fixtures averaging 9.9.
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Key Match Stats
Bristol City have lost only two of their seven pre-season fixtures, including an impressive 4-1 win over Newcastle United.
Walsall head into the new season without a pre-season victory and without scoring a single goal in four friendlies.
Michael Skubala guided Lincoln City to promotion last season with 89 league goals scored and just 41 conceded.
City are unbeaten in their last five meetings with Walsall, winning four of those matches.
City matches averaged 10.0 corners per game last season, while Walsall fixtures averaged 9.9.
Summer signing Lorent Tolaj has already netted three times in pre-season for Bristol City.
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
