West Bromwich Albion vs Birmingham City
14 March 1230hrs
Football – England – EFL Championship
Pick Home Win -1
Bookmaker Bet365
Odds: 8/5 odds taken 1430 GMT, Thursday 12 March
Midlands rivals West Bromwich Albion and Birmingham City lock horns in the EFL Championship at The Hawthorns on Saturday afternoon. With Leeds United overtaking the Baggies at the top of the division last week, can West Brom return to the summit before Leeds play Cardiff City on Sunday? Slaven Bilic’s men are the clear favourites in this one.
Table of Contents
West Bromwich Albion Preview – Will the Baggies bounce back with an important home win?
West Bromwich Albion have handed the initiative to Leeds in the title race after taking just one point from the last six on offer. After falling to a shock 1-0 home defeat to lowly Wigan Athletic, Albion drew 0-0 with Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium last time out. Since their last victory, West Brom have also lost in the Emirates FA Cup.
Despite the last couple of poor results, Slaven Bilic’s boys have been in good form lately. Since going seven league games without a win over the festive period and early on in 2020, Albion have won five of their last eight in the Championship, with that defeat to Wigan in their last home league match being their sole defeat during that time.
West Brom have the best away record in the league, but they have certainly had one or two problems on home turf this term, winning only eight of 18. Along the way, Middlesbrough, Stoke City and Wigan – who are all near the bottom – have won on their patch in league action. Nonetheless, the Baggies are the clear favourites in this one.
West Brom are six points above Fulham, but the Cottagers will close the gap to just three if they beat rivals Brentford on Friday. This could be a pivotal weekend in the race for automatic promotion to the Premier League.
Birmingham City Preview – Can the Blues cause a big upset at The Hawthorns?
Before losing 3-1 at home to Reading last weekend, Birmingham City had been on a decent undefeated run in the Championship. After losing at home to Wigan on New Year’s Day, the Blues went nine league fixtures without defeat before Reading’s victory ay St Andrew’s last Saturday.
However, Pep Clotet’s troops have struggled for wins lately, failing to win any of their past five in the Championship since a hat-trick of victories in early February. Birmingham drew four on the spin before last weekend’s loss.
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Clotet’s boys were recently beaten by Leicester City at the King Power Stadium in the FA Cup, but the Blues have not lost away from home in the Championship since a 3-0 reverse at Hull City a few days before Christmas.
Birmingham make the short trip to The Hawthorns as underdogs, but can City leave West Bromwich with a positive result? The away victory is currently available at the big price of 9/2.
West Bromwich Albion vs Birmingham City Betting Advice
The last two West Brom v Birmingham meetings have been five-goal thrillers, with the Baggies winning both by three goals to two. In the reverse game, Albion came from behind twice to leave St Andrew’s with a 3-2 win, with Charlie Austin’s late brace doing the business for West Brom.
Key Facts – West Bromwich Albion vs Birmingham City Betting Tip
- West Brom start the weekend six points clear of third-place Fulham
- The Baggies have suffered just five defeats this term, which is the fewest in the Championship
- Birmingham’s last win over West Brom was way back in October 2006
Birmingham have struggled against their Midlands rivals in recent years, failing to beat them since a 2-0 Championship home win way back in 2006. Unfortunately for the Blues, I can see them falling to another defeat to the Baggies on Saturday. Take a punt on West Brom to win -1 at 8/5.
The best betting odds for West Bromwich Albion vs Birmingham City
West Bromwich Albion to win: 8/13 at Bet365
Draw: 3/1 at Bet365
Birmingham City to win: 9/2 at Bet365
