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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


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Game History

How you voted: Birmingham vs Stoke

Birmingham City
27.0%
Draw
13.5%
Stoke City
59.5%
37
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Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Germany Germany00000
2 Hungary Hungary00000
3 Scotland flag Scotland00000
4 Switzerland Switzerland00000

Group B

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Albania national flag Albania00000
2 Croatia Croatia00000
3 Italy Italy00000
4 Spain Spain00000

Group C

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Denmark Denmark00000
2 England flag England00000
3 Serbia Serbia00000
4 Slovenia Slovenia00000

Group D

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1 Austria Austria00000
2 France France00000
3 Netherlands Netherlands00000
4 Poland Poland00000

Group E

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1 Belgium Belgium00000
2 Romania Romania00000
3 Slovakia Slovakia00000
4 Ukraine Ukraine00000

Group F

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Czech Republic Czech Republic00000
2 Georgia Georgia00000
3 Portugal Portugal00000
4 Turkey Turkey00000


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