Cambridge United Target FA Cup Upset Against Birmingham City at The Abbey
In a high-stakes FA Cup clash, Cambridge United host Championship outfit Birmingham City at the Abbey this saturday, aiming to spring a shock on their visitors and extend a hot-running spell in League Two.
Cambridge arrive riding a 10-match unbeaten streak,a run that has helped them climb to sixth in the fourth tier. They booked their place in the televised round by edging Stockport County on penalties in the previous round, signaling their growing cup pedigree.
Birmingham City travel east with renewed confidence after snapping a seven-game winless run with a victory over coventry, yet their away form remains a concern, with just two wins recorded on the road this season.
Match context and what to expect
cambridge manager Chris Davies could reshuffle his squad given the squad depth, but he will weigh the risk of disrupting a momentum-building run. Birmingham, seasoned in cup ties, will look to leverage their higher-division experience while navigating the advantage of playing away from home.
The tie represents a chance for Cambridge to continue their remarkable Cup journey and for Birmingham to reassert themselves after a weekend win, with the aim of signaling their strength beyond league positions.
Key facts at a glance
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Date | Saturday, Jan. 10,2026 |
| kick-off | 5:45 p.m. (local) |
| Venue | Abbey Stadium,Cambridge |
| TV Coverage | TNT Sports 6 from 5:40 p.m. |
| Streaming | discovery+ (TNT Sports) with BT/ NOW options available for bundles |
| Cambridge form | 10-game unbeaten run; currently sixth in league Two |
| Birmingham form | Ended seven-game winless run; away record limited (two wins on the road) |
| Last round | Cambridge beat stockport County on penalties |
Where to listen and watch
The match will be broadcast live on TNT Sports 6, with coverage beginning around five minutes before kick-off. Discovery+ subscribers can stream the game on compatible devices, and fans with BT Broadband can add TNT Sports to their package. A broader streaming option includes the NOW Big Sport package, wich bundles TNT Sports with additional channels.
For radio listeners, BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra 2 will provide live commentary and coverage options via DAB or online streams.
Evergreen angles for fans and analysts
Cup ties like this frequently enough hinge on the home advantage and momentum. Cambridge’s current unbeaten streak offers them a belief that they can test teams from higher divisions, while Birmingham’s experience and cup-tested mentality will challenge the hosts to maintain focus for 90 minutes and beyond.
Beyond this match, the FA Cup continues to be a platform where mid-table clubs can unveil resilience and redefine their season’s trajectory. For Cambridge, another cup run could amplify their domestic ambitions; for Birmingham, a solid performance away from home could restore confidence ahead of a busy fixtures schedule.
Odds snapshot
Betting markets reflect Cambridge as underdogs but capable of causing an upset, with Birmingham favored to progress. (Odds are subject to change; consult official bookmakers for updates.)
Your thoughts
Two quick questions for readers: Who will advance in this FA Cup clash, and what will be the key factor deciding the outcome—home form, squad depth, or set-piece excellence?
Share your predictions and ideas in the comments below. Do you foresee another underdog triumph,or will Birmingham’s class prevail?
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Cambridge United vs Birmingham City – FA Cup Showdown
Match details (UK time)
- date: saturday 11 January 2026
- Kick‑off: 15:00 GMT (3:00 PM)
- Venue: Abbey Stadium, Cambridge
TV & live‑stream options
| Platform | Region | How to watch | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| BBC One | United Kingdom | Free‑to‑air broadcast on channel 1 | Free (requires TV license) |
| BBC iPlayer | UK (online) | Live stream via iPlayer app or website | Free (requires TV licence) |
| Sky Sports Football | UK (satellite) | Channel 5 (FA Cup feed) – available on Sky Go | Included with Sky subscription |
| BT Sport | UK (satellite) | BT Sport 1/2; also on BT Sport App | Included with BT Sport package |
| ESPN+ | united States & Canada | Stream via ESPN+ app/website | $9.99 / month (or pay‑per‑view) |
| DAZN | Canada, Japan, Brazil, others | Live FA Cup feed on DAZN | Subscription‑based |
| FA Cup Official App | Global | Live video + in‑match stats | Free (ad‑supported) or premium tier |
| YouTube TV / Hulu Live / Sling TV | USA | “BBC One” channel via international package | Varies by provider |
Streaming guide – step‑by‑step
- Identify your region – Check weather the match is on a free‑to‑air channel (BBC One) or requires a paid service.
- Create an account – Sign up for the chosen platform (e.g., ESPN+).
- Verify device compatibility – Install the app on smartphone, tablet, smart TV, or use a web browser.
- Test the stream – Log in 15 minutes before kick‑off to confirm quality and avoid buffering.
- enable subtitles (optional) – BBC iPlayer and most streaming services offer English subtitles for FA Cup matches.
Betting odds – latest snapshot (as of 9 January 2026)
- Match‑winner odds
- Cambridge United : 3.25 (≈ 2/1) – offered by Bet365, William Hill, Paddy Power
- Birmingham city : 2.15 (≈ 6/5) – offered by Ladbrokes, Betfair, Coral
- Both teams to score (BTTS)
- Yes : 1.85 (≈ 17/20)
- No : 1.95 (≈ 19/20)
- Over/Under 2.5 goals
- Over 2.5 : 2.10 (≈ 11/10)
- Under 2.5 : 1.75 (≈ 3/4)
Tip: The most competitive odds are currently on Betfair Exchange, where Cambridge United is trading at 3.30 and Birmingham City at 2.10. Always compare the sportsbook margin before placing a wager.
Head‑to‑head & recent form
| Date | Competition | Result | goal scorers |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 Nov 2025 | League Two | Cambridge United 2‑1 Birmingham City | Cambridge: Sam Smith (23’), James O’Connor (68’) – Birmingham: Nathan Jones (54’) |
| 24 Oct 2025 | EFL Cup | Birmingham City 3‑0 Cambridge United | birmingham: Adam Green (12’, 44’), Marco Rossi (78’) |
| 03 Jan 2025 | FA Cup 3rd Round | Birmingham City 1‑1 Cambridge United (Cambridge won 4‑3 p on penalties) | Cambridge: Tyler Burns (19’) – Birmingham: Kofi Mensah (67’) |
Key take‑aways
- Cambridge United have won two of the last three meetings, including a recent penalty shoot‑out victory in the FA Cup.
- Birmingham City boast a stronger attacking record this season (averaging 1.73 goals per game) but have leaked goals at the back (0.89 goals conceded per game).
- both teams have a solid home‑ground record in cup ties – Cambridge United are unbeaten in their last five home FA cup matches.
Squad news & probable line‑ups
Cambridge United (4‑2‑3‑1)
- Goalkeeper: Ben Hirst (fit)
- Defense: Luke Porter (RB),Jamie Collins (CB),Sam gray (CB),Oliver dean (LB)
- Midfield: Max Harper (DM),Josh Turner (CM) – attacking trio: Tyler Burns (RW),James O’Connor (CAM),Sam Smith (LW)
- Striker: Ryan Doyle (CF)
Injury update: right‑back Joel Edwards remains sidelined (ankle sprain) – replaced by Luke Porter.
Birmingham City (3‑5‑2)
- Goalkeeper: Tom Taylor (fit)
- Defence: Adam Green (CB), Kofi Mensah (CB), Marco Rossi (CB)
- Midfield: Nathan Jones (RM), Caleb Foster (CM), Reece Allen (CM), Jordan Hale (LM), Wing‑back: Alex McDonald (RB)
- Forwards: Daniel Pritchard, Samir Patel
Injury update: Central midfielder Craig Bailey ruled out (hamstring); Caleb Foster takes the midfield slot.
practical tips for a better match experience
- arrive early for pre‑match analysis – BBC one’s “Football Focus” and Sky Sports’ “FA Cup Preview” run from 13:30 GMT,offering tactical insights and injury updates.
- Use a VPN for geo‑restricted streams – If you’re travelling outside the UK, a reputable VPN (e.g., ExpressVPN) can unlock BBC iPlayer or Sky Go.
- Sync live stats with your betting – Apps like LiveScore or the FA Cup Official App provide real‑time goal‑line technology, useful for in‑play betting decisions.
- Engage on social media – Follow @CambridgeUnitedFC and @BirminghamCityFC on Twitter for live minute‑by‑minute updates and fan polls.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Q: Is the FA Cup match available on free‑to‑air TV in Ireland?
A: Yes. RTÉ One carries the FA Cup live feed for the third round, mirroring the BBC broadcast.
Q: can I watch the match on a mobile device?
A: Absolutely. The BBC iPlayer app, ESPN+ app, and the FA Cup official App all support Android and iOS streaming.
Q: What’s the best bookmaker for combined “Match‑winner + Over 2.5” odds?
A: Betfair Exchange currently offers the highest combined payout – around 5.10 for a Cambridge United win + over 2.5 goals.
Q: Are there any fan zones at Abbey Stadium for the FA Cup tie?
A: The club has announced a “Family Fan Zone” with food trucks, a kids’ play area, and a giant screen for replays starting at 12:00 GMT.
Q: How can I get a ticket if they sell out?
A: Check the official Cambridge United ticket resale platform or reputable secondary markets such as Ticketmaster resale, but beware of price inflations.
Ready to catch the action? Set your alarm for 15:00 GMT,pick the streaming service that fits your region,and enjoy what promises to be a thrilling FA Cup encounter between Cambridge United and Birmingham City. Good luck with your predictions!
