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Opinion: Underdog status can help Blues against Burnley

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Image for Opinion: Underdog status can help Blues against Burnley

With the weekends fixture against second in the league Burnley fast approaching, I thought it would only be right to discuss why being underdogs before the game could be an advantage for Gary Rowett’s side.

Birmingham City have almost nothing left to play for now in the Sky Bet Championship other than pride and because of that, I think there could be a shock result on the cards this weekend when Sean Dyche’s men visit B9.

Although Blues haven’t won any of their previous three home games, when the so called ‘bigger teams’ visit us or play against us, we tend to put in more of a performance. Other than the game against Brighton and Hove Albion, Blues have over-achieved against the higher placed teams and I think that could continue this weekend.

Lets face the facts first though, the Clarets are a fantastic team and if Blues start like they did against Leeds United on Tuesday night then I am sorry to say this but we could be looking at a drubbing and that hasn’t really happened at St.Andrews this season.

I say we could be in for a drubbing if we perform like we did in the first 45 on Tuesday night but lets not forget, Rowett’s men haven’t conceded three goals in a game at home all season which in itself is a fantastic achievement and they have only conceded three in a match once all season.

Middlesbrough, Hull City, Cardiff City, Blackburn Rovers and Burnley themselves are the only other five teams in the division to achieve a that stat which proves just how far Rowett and his staff have brought this Blues team and it is actually quite an achievement when you look at a stat like that.

Going into the game as underdogs is likely to suit Blues because there is no pressure on them whereas a win is a must for Dyche’s team if they want to continue their push for the Championship title, which, with their current run of form, looks like it could be within touching distance, but Middlesbrough do stand in their way.

The likes of Andre Gray, Scott Arfield and Joey Barton are all likely to cause Blues plenty of problems during the game but if we play like we have been all season away from home, with a counter attacking style of play, then what’s to say we won’t pull off another shock result.

Blues are used to being the underdogs in most games, especially in recent years, and there is no doubt that this weekend will be any different. With the promotion contenders bringing over 2,000 fans and the home end looking like it could be one of the busiest we have seen this season, there could be two waves of emotions going through both sets of fans.

With neighbours Aston Villa looking like they will confirm relegation this weekend, there will most certainly be a part atmosphere in the Blues end but there will no doubt be nerves in the away end if Blues put in a performance like they did against Hull and Ipswich Town earlier this calender year.

Personally, I think we could snatch a draw from the game but it all depends where the first goal goes in the game. If the visitors score first, Blues will find it very difficult to break them down with Tom Heaton having kept 17 clean sheets this season, but if Rowett’s side find the back of the net first, we could be looking at a very entertaining game.

Blues fans, do you agree that being underdogs heading into the game is likely to suit Blues’ style of play? Let us know in the comment section down below!

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