MX23RW : Sunday, December 15 23:13:59| >> :120:5801:5801:
[monks data]
Birmingham logo
Championship | Gameweek 41
Apr 10, 2023 at 3pm UK
St. Andrew's Stadium
Stoke logo

Birmingham
0 - 0
Stoke


Roberts (27'), Bielik (61')
FT

Wilmot (56'), Pearson (73')

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

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

Birmingham City and Stoke City square off in the Championship on Easter Monday each looking for the win which would realistically secure their Championship status for another season.

The teams occupy 16th and 14th position in the standings respectively after recent improved runs of form at the second tier.


Match preview

Birmingham City manager John Eustace reacts on March 14, 2023© Reuters

Given their ongoing off-the-field issues, there has been a need for Birmingham to put some distance between themselves and the relegation zone to ease concerns about their Championship status.

However, John Eustace and his players have delivered in recent matches, collecting 10 points from five fixtures to sit eight points clear of the bottom three with six games remaining.

Since a 3-0 defeat at Watford, Blues have posted 1-0 wins over Queens Park Rangers and Birmingham City and earned a 1-1 draw away at potential relegation rivals Reading.

Coming from behind to earn a share of the spoils at the Royals could prove decisive at the end of the season, yet Eustace will be eager to keep the West Midlands outfit out of trouble without relying on any other side.

Birmingham have lost eight of their 20 league games at St Andrew's this season, but they have prevailed in their last two games on familiar territory and conceded just 21 times in total.

Stoke City manager Alex Neil applauds fans after the match on January 8, 2023© Reuters

Highlighting their strong defensive record is important at a time when Stoke have scored an astonishing 13 times in their last four away fixtures.

After collecting seven points at Swansea City, Sunderland and Middlesbrough, the Potters went to Coventry City and pulled off a 4-0 success.

Alex Neil has no doubt been left furious at conceding a lead at home to Bristol City on Friday, going down by a 2-1 scoreline to keep the club 10 points adrift of the playoffs.

Nevertheless, when looking at the bigger picture, the Scot will acknowledge that Stoke are finally on an upward trajectory under his leadership, with 21 points coming from the last 13 matches.

Birmingham City Championship form:

Stoke City Championship form:


Team News

Lewis Baker in action for Stoke City on October 8, 2022© Reuters

While Eustace will give consideration to selecting an unchanged Birmingham side on Monday, the Blues boss has alternatives available to him should he prefer fresh legs.

Hannibal Mejbri and Scott Hogan may return in central midfield and attack, as may Juninho Bacuna either in the middle of the pitch or the right flank.

The likes of Dion Sanderson and Troy Deeney remain on the sidelines through injury.

Stoke's issues against Bristol City arose after substitutions started to be made, something which may encourage Neil to name an unchanged XI if fitness allows.

Morgan Fox and Lewis Baker are alternatives in defence and midfield respectively, but Axel Tuanzebe will miss out through injury again.

Birmingham City possible starting lineup:
Ruddy; Colin, Roberts, Long, Trusty; Bielik, Chang; Chong, Hall, Khadra; Jutkiewicz

Stoke City possible starting lineup:
Bonham; Hoever, Wilmot, Jagielka, Sterling; Pearson, Laurent; Brown, Smallbone, Campbell; Powell


SM words green background

We say: Birmingham City 1-2 Stoke City

With the pressure off each of these teams to a certain extent, any result is possible. For us, though, Stoke's superior goal threat should prove pivotal, and we are backing the Potters to extend their excellent run of form on their travels.



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 under 3.5 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.Under 3.5:data


ID:510914:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect9852:
Written by
Darren Plant

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Game History

How you voted: Birmingham vs Stoke

Birmingham City
27.0%
Draw
13.5%
Stoke City
59.5%
37
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Sheffield United's Iliman Ndiaye celebrates scoring their first goal with Oli McBurnie on March 7, 2023
Read Next:
Saturday's Championship predictions including Norwich vs. Sheffield United
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
FT
Chiefs
21-7
Browns
FT
Ravens
35-14
Giants
FT
Jets
32-25
Jags
FT
Cowboys
30-14
Panthers
FT
Washington
20-19
Saints
FT
Dolphins
12-20
Texans
FT
Bengals
37-27
Titans
9.25pm
Colts
@
Broncos
9.25pm
Patriots
@
Cardinals
9.25pm
Buccaneers
@
Chargers
9.25pm
Steelers
@
Eagles
9.25pm
Bills
@
Lions
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


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!