Birmingham City are at home as the return of the Championship hits us today. They play 21st placed Rotherham who are down there fighting for their survival; a feat Birmingham know all too well.
St Andrews’ will be a difficult place to come for Rotherham who have only managed 1 win in their last 6 games. Just before the break they went down 2-0 away at the City Ground (Forest).
There is hope for them yet on the road, they have managed to beat Huddersfield away, a team that gave Blues a very difficult game when they visited only a few weeks ago.
Before that Huddersfield game, Birmingham had 2 wins on the bounce at home. They beat Brentford 1-0 and Blackpool by the same score line. Gary Rowett has his side in almost every single game they place and this one will be no different.
Birmingham’s home win ratio is up to 35% in their last 20, a feat that I didn’t think we would see for a good while after the rein of Lee Clark. They have won or drawn in 65% of their home games, meaning it is most likely that Rotherham won’t be leaving Birmingham with a much needed 3 points.
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Now lets be honest about this, Birmingham are not prolific goal scorers and despite the signing of a very good Fabbrini, that probably won’t change over night. Now this is offset by Blues being equally as low at conceding goals.
Rotherham are of a similar ilk, but no where near as effective at securing results as Gary Rowett’s men have been this season.
And for those reasons, I’m not backing a high scoring game – Although I accept you do get the odd game where 3 or 4 fly in. I’m predicting a 2-0 win for Birmingham, a fightback from the disappointment of Cardiff and boosted by returning players.
In terms of likely goal threat, as always it remains Donaldson and Cotterill with the odd input from the other players. Rotherham’s goal threat doesn’t seem to follow a clear trend so they’ll probably find it difficult today. Connor Sammon seems like the bookies favorite.
In terms of overall form the two teams aren’t too far apart, but Rotherham have failed to beat Blues in 3 attempts. The away side have lost 3 games in a row now and they desperately need an upturn in form.
The away side will play it in the air today, and if Blues sit deeper to cater to that they do have players that will fire off plenty of long shots. But given the state of the two sides I fully expect Blues to try and impose themselves on the game and given them something to worry about.
Team news:
Spector and Shinnie – late fitness tests
Gray – Possibly rested after playing for England U19s
Morrison – Back in the match day squad
Fabbrini – Could make his debut
Green and Gunning – Recovering but unlikely to be involved
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