Prediction and odds for the game: Bristol City (23/20) v Birmingham (23/10)
We are backing the home win
When: Friday 07th February 2020, Kick-off 7:45 PM
Where: Ashton Gate
On Friday night, Bristol City will hope to enhance their play-off hopes in the Championship, as they welcome Birmingham City to Ashton Gate.
Bristol City
The Robins are well placed to clinch a vital top-six spot and a place in the Championship play-offs. In fact, Lee Johnson’s team occupy the last play-off berth but are also just five points adrift of the automatic promotions spots.
Last time out the home side recorded a third straight 1-0 win in the second tier against QPR. Overall, it was the Robin’s fourth straight win and clean sheet in the Championship. Their last four league outings have all produce under 2.5 goals and this game could follow suit.
If they are to mount a realistic promotion challenge, then City will need to improve their league form at Ashton Gate, as they have won just three of the last eight home games in the Championship. However, two of those wins have been in their last three matches on home soil. Their recent games home matches in the second tier have been relatively high scoring, with over 2.5 goals scored in six of their last nine matches.
Birmingham City
While Bristol City are hoping to clinch promotion this season, the visitors will be looking nervously over their shoulders at the relegation zone. The Blues are currently eight points clear of the drop zone. However, they will know that they cannot afford to go on a bad run or they could be sucked into the relegation battle.
The visitors head into this clash on the back of a four-game unbeaten run in the Championship, having recorded two wins and two draws. Last time out, Josep Clotet Ruiz’s team recorded a 2-1 win over promotion hopefuls Nottingham Forest. The result means that both teams have scored in Birmingham’s last seven matches in the second tier of English football.
City have struggled for wins away from home of late in the Championship, winning just two of their last 11 matches on their travels. However, they have lost just one of their last seven away games in the second tier, and are now undefeated in their last three matches on their travels in the league.
Conclusion
Both these teams are in decent form heading into this vital clash for the home side. However, with home advantage, we are going to back the Robins to record a narrow victory. The other bet we are recommending is the under 2.5 goals scored, as the home side has looked good in defence of late and Birmingham have scored just four goals in their last four away matches in the Championship.
Verdict: We are backing the home win at odds of 23/20 and/or under 2.5 goals scored at odds of 10/11. (All odds are taken from Bet365).
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