Another weekend in the Championship kicks off on Friday night when two cities beginning with B take each other on as the in form Bristol City host a patched up Birmingham City side at Ashton Gate.
Bristol City go into the match in a really good run at the minute, and have the chance to put the pressure on those above them ahead of the remainder of the weekend. This could be a battle of survival for injury ravaged Birmingham in front of the cameras.
Bristol City
There has been plenty of optimism around Bristol City throughout the campaign so far. I tipped them to win the league before a ball was kicked and while they have always been on the fringes, it looked like they weren’t going to go any further than that, however they have taken off in January and a win here, with two teams above them playing each other on Saturday, would enhance their promotion credentials even further.
January wasn’t just good to the Robins on the pitch, where they have won their last four Championship outings, it was decent enough off it as well. Although they lost Josh Brownhill which was probably a bit of a blow, they acquired Nakhi Wells and he should be the man to convert some of the huge number of chances they create. He could be the difference between going up and not so that looks a good move.
Birmingham City
Things were going to be hard enough for Birmingham City in this match as it was given that their last outing was less than 72hrs before this one kicks off. Not only did they have to play an FA Cup replay on Tuesday night, but it went to penalties and they picked up a couple of significant injuries from it too, which it goes without saying was less than ideal. A tired side missing a host of players will be the one turning up to Ashton Gate here.
Birmingham are unbeaten in their last four league matches, which will give them confidence going into this match, but they will have to overcome those heavy legs from earlier in the week. Their win over Nottingham Forest last weekend was a good one, but I saw them at Kenilworth Road against Luton last month and they didn’t look anything special on that occasion. You would think they would need to be near their best to come out on top here.
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Team News
New signings Markus Henriksen and Filip Benkovic could start for Bristol City while there could also be a full debut for Nakhi Wells as well. Andreas Weimann is hoping to be fit but Jack Hunt and Tomas Kalas are likely to miss out.
Birmingham are definitely without Josh McEachran and Jacques Maghoma, the two men who picked up significant injuries against Coventry City in midweek. Dan Crowley and Kerim Mrabti are progressing well with their injuries but this game comes too soon for them.
Betting
You could argue that Bristol City haven’t always been convincing on this winning run of theirs but they have been winning matches and there is no substitute for that. They are also taking on a side who have to be leggy and jaded and the big pitch at Ashton Gate probably isn’t going to help them in that very much. Bristol City also look a much stronger outfit coming out of January than they did going into the month.
Birmingham City haven’t looked much of an outfit to me and if Bristol City can handle the aerial threat of Lukas Jutkiewicz that might well be more than half of the job done. Birmingham’s record on the road is a little bit too mixed for my liking so I have to say the drift on the home side over the course of Friday has made them very attractive indeed. I’ll take them to win.
Tips
Back Bristol City to beat Birmingham City for a 4/10 stake at 2.30 with Coral
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