Birmingham City
Formed: 1875
Home: Sat. Andrews
Capacity: 30,009
Nickname: The Blues
Birmingham are becoming a bit of a yo-yo team bouncing from the Premier league to the Championship and back again. Birmingham were in the original Premier league when it started in 2002 and their best ever finish in the Premier league has been 10th position. They maintained their presence in the top league until relegation in the 2005-6 season, before gaining promotion again before repeating the feat that now sees them in the Premier league once more.
The are one of the bookies favourites to go straight back down, but we wouldn’t be too hasty in having a bet on Birmingham to be relegated.
Of the three promoted teams they appear to us to be the best equipped to survive in the top tier. They have a big squad with decent players, many with previous Premiership experience. They have added seven new players already to bolster the squad that gained promotion and have a bit of money to spend that could see them add to the squad in January if need be.
We aren’t going to be silly and tell you to have a bet on Birmingham to win the title or break into the top four, but they look to be as strong as teams like Bolton, Wigan, Stoke and others and while it will be tough for them we think they are good enough to survive.
Birmingham’s record against the top four since 2004/5 season
Arsenal - Played :6 Won 1 Drawn 2 Lost 3
Chelsea - Played :6 Won 0 Drawn 2 Lost 4
Liverpool- Played : 6 Won 2 Drawn 4 Lost 0
Man Utd- Played : 6 Won 0 Drawn 2 Lost 4
In their six games against Arsenal only once has less than three goals being scored in the game. Taking the over 2.5goals bet on the Birmingham v Arsenal game looks worthwhile. Birmingham have a good record against Liverpool and one bet to consider is laying Liverpool against Birmingham or having a bet on Birmingham t draw with Liverpool.
Bet on Birmingham to stay up and finish mid table or just in the bottom half of the league.