The experimental Swansea City XI Matos could go with against Birmingham City

There could be a real mix of options on show for Saturday’s Carabao Cup clash against Birmingham

The new season is nearly here, albeit with a slightly different feel to previous years.

Normally, it’s the league campaign that takes centre-stage on the opening day, but on this occasion, Swansea start the 2026/27 campaign with the visit of Birmingham City in the opening round of the Carabao Cup.

Swansea had some great moments in this competition last year, producing a stunning comeback to beat Nottingham Forest, a result that was perhaps the beginning of the end for boss Ange Postecoglou, before then putting in a spirited showing against Manchester City.

Even so, it’s probably fair to assume this tournament isn’t the main priority for Vitor Matos, whose ultimate ambition is likely to hinge more on a possible play-off push.

That said, this contest with the Blues might still be seen as a useful exercise in the wider preparations for the new season.

Traditionally, the early stages of this competition have served as an opportunity to give a few younger members of the squad, and a couple of fringe players, the opportunity to earn some game-time.

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That may well be the case again, but with a few of his first-team stars perhaps still in need of minutes, it could be slightly stronger than XIs seen in previous years.

In goal, one suspects Andy Fisher will be given the nod, but the back four is slightly trickier to predict.

After a solid showing against Leganes, Filip Lissah could well be handed another chance to shine, perhaps in his more favoured right-back role.

In the middle, there’s every chance youngsters like Arthur Parker and Carter Heywood, the latter of whom has really impressed Matos, could well be in contention.

But providing he’s fit, these are the sort of games Stephen Welsh would be hoping to make the most of, while Cameron Burgess could potentially do with a few minutes given his late return to the club this summer.

Tiago Parente is available following his loan move from Benfica, and will surely start.

Elsewhere, Matos appeared to drift away from his usual double-pivot set-up in City’s final friendly, preferring instead to invert the full-backs to create another body in midfield.

Goncalo Franco’s absence was clearly part of that decision, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see a repeat here, with Jay Fulton likely to be entrusted to anchor the midfield.

It wouldn’t be a surprise to see any of the three remaining new boys start, but Moussa Yeo is perhaps the most likely.

Eom Jisung could potentially do with a bit more game-time on the left given, like Burgess, he was also late returning to the squad.

In the middle, this could be another chance to give Leo Walta more minutes, while someone like Thomas Woodward might well be handed the opportunity to shine.

Up front is an interesting one.

Joseph Opoku can potentially play there, but Zan Vipotnik’s lack of minutes this summer means there’s surely a real chance he will lead the line.

Swansea’s possible XI: Fisher, Lissah, Welsh, Burgess, Parente; Fulton; Yeo, Walta, Woodward, Eom; Vipotnik

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