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Birmingham logo
Championship | Gameweek 19
Nov 2, 2022 at 7.45pm UK
St. Andrew's Stadium
Millwall logo

Birmingham
0 - 0
Millwall

FT

Wallace (51')

Preview: Birmingham City vs. Millwall - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Wednesday's Championship clash between Birmingham City and Millwall, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Birmingham City will be looking to record back-to-back home victories when Millwall visit St Andrew's on Wednesday night in the Championship.

John Eustace's side dispatched of Queens Park Rangers last time out in front of their home faithful, whereas Millwall's winning run ended with defeat away at Huddersfield Town.


Match preview

Birmingham City manager John Eustace on August 27, 2022© Reuters

A record attendance at St Andrew's since fans returned after the Covid-19 pandemic saw Birmingham earn three points against Michael Beale's high-flying R's courtesy of first-half goals from Auston Trusty and Manny Longelo.

Blues had to defend resolutely in the second period and will be thankful for a magnificent penalty save from goalkeeper John Ruddy, but Eustace's men secured a maximum and moved up to 12th in the Championship standings after an impressive display.

The Second City club are amongst the form teams in the second tier, having won five and drawn three of their last 10 Championship fixtures, a positive record everyone associated with the team will hope to continue as they try to distance themselves from a relegation battle many neutrals envisaged for them this campaign.

Birmingham's league-leading defensive record has been the foundation on which a talented and hungry set of players have built on this season, with the team only being breached 15 times in 17 league matches so far, fewer than even Burnley and Sheffield United.

With three of their last four games before the World Cup break in front of their own fans, Blues will be sensing a real opportunity to carry on building a positive connection between the players and the supporters, with the best way to do that being getting results on the football pitch.

Millwall boss Gary Rowett on August 2, 2022© Reuters

Gary Rowett's Lions could not make it five wins on the bounce as they fell to defeat at the John Smith's Stadium against Huddersfield on Saturday, but the head coach is remaining level-headed and admitted even four straight wins in the Championship is not a feat many clubs will achieve this season.

Despite their blistering recent form, it may not have come as a complete surprise to the travelling supporters on the weekend that their team were unsuccessful, as Millwall have only won one of eight matches away from The Den this campaign, with only Middlesbrough and Huddersfield possessing poorer away records.

The Londoners will have to improve on their ventures if they are to achieve a top-six finish this year, and get an immediate opportunity to do so when they travel to Birmingham on Wednesday, a place where they last tasted victory in March 2019.

In fact three of Millwall's last four league games before the World Cup are away from home, so Rowett will need to find a way to get a tune out of his side on the road if they are to shorten the two-point gap between themselves and Swansea City in sixth place.

Birmingham City Championship form:

Millwall Championship form:


Team News

Millwall manager Gary Rowett on March 8, 2022© Reuters

Birmingham City defender George Friend could make his return to the matchday squad after a few months out with a calf injury, although the 34-year-old is unlikely to break into the starting XI anytime soon given the performances of left-sided defenders Trusty and Longelo.

Nico Gordon will get gametime for the Under-21s this week as he continues his comeback from an unspecified health issue that has seen him play no part so far this campaign.

Millwall's George Saville was the only outfield player not utilised in the game at Huddersfield, sparking questions about his fitness which Rowett answered by explaining that the midfielder was not brought on as his side chased the game for tactical reasons.

The Lions remain without defender Ryan Leonard with a hamstring injury - the 30-year-old has not played since the defeat at Norwich City back in August.

Birmingham City possible starting lineup:
Ruddy; Sanderson, Dean, Trusty, Colin, Bielik; Hannibal, Longelo, Chong; Deeney, Hogan

Millwall possible starting lineup:
Long; McNamara, Cresswell, Cooper, Malone; Shackleton, Mitchell, Burey, Flemming, Styles; Bradshaw


SM words green background

We say: Birmingham City 1-0 Millwall

Birmingham City are full of confidence heading into this clash with Millwall and could move as high as seventh with a win.

Millwall have struggled massively on the road this season, and that mixed in with Birmingham's defensive record and extra day's rest for the hosts, it is hard to go against a home victory in this one.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting over 1.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Over 1.5:data


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Written by
Carter White

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Game History

How you voted: Birmingham vs Millwall

Birmingham City
58.5%
Draw
18.5%
Millwall
23.0%
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Wycombe WanderersWycombe19134243222143
2Birmingham CityBirmingham18133234161842
3Wrexham20125330131741
4Huddersfield TownHuddersfield19113530181236
5Stockport CountyStockport2096532211133
6Reading199463028231
7Barnsley208662926330
8Bolton WanderersBolton189362829-130
9Lincoln CityLincoln207762625128
10Blackpool197572931-226
11Mansfield TownMansfield187472222025
12Stevenage187471517-225
13Peterborough UnitedPeterborough197393735224
14Charlton AthleticCharlton196671819-124
15Exeter CityExeter197391721-424
16Wigan AthleticWigan196581716123
17Rotherham UnitedRotherham186571920-123
18Leyton Orient196491920-122
19Northampton TownNorthampton205692129-821
20Bristol Rovers1963101728-1121
21Crawley TownCrawley1954102032-1219
22Cambridge UnitedCambridge1945102031-1117
23Burton Albion1926111630-1412
24Shrewsbury TownShrewsbury1932141939-2011


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