English Premier
2011-02-02 - Birmingham City vs Manchester City
A Sports Betting Pick by ArmchairPunter
Football : England : Premier League
Wednesday 2nd February 2011 – Kickoff 7.45pm
After having successfully negotiated the two cup competitions that they are involved in during the last week, Birmingham City revert back to the pressures of the Premiership and their survival mission, when they take on 3rd placed Manchester City at St Andrews on Wednesday night.
Birmingham City
Blues showed great character in the second leg of the Carling Cup defeating West Ham to progress to a rare Wembley appearance against Arsenal, and again on Saturday when they came from two goals down to Championship Coventry City to eventually win 3-2. I have no doubt that this fighting spirit will stand them in good stead for the visit of Manchester City, and I am sure Alex McLeish is delighted with the response following their, ahem, loss at Manchester United.
Not too many teams destroy Blues on their home turf however, as their home record suggests 3-6-2 10/11, but they will be painfully aware that they need to convert the draws into wins and quickly as the trap-door is beginning to beckon. McLeish wanted a striker, and has finally emerged with ex-Newcastle United hit-man Obafemi Martins despite a lengthy on-off-on-and finally off deal for Robbie Keane.
A bit peeved with Redknapp just quietly as it was stressed all along the Keane saga that the Irish striker would have to be bought (and no loan deal was on the table or on offer), but hey presto, Redknapp's old club West Ham have just announced, yes you've guessed it, a loan deal for Robbie Keane. B****rd!
Anyhow, Blues have lost just once in their last eleven home matches in all competitions, and have earned creditable draws against Tottenham, Manchester United & rivals Aston Villa (all 1-1 strangely enough), along with a shock 1-0 win over Chelsea. The loss came against Arsenal where they lost 0-3.
Defender Roger Johnson, midfielder Craig Gardner (Blues top scorer with 4 goals) and striker Cameron Jerome are all expected to return to the starting eleven having been rested for the cup tie with Coventry City.
Manchester City
Visitors, Manchester City, had strung together a six match unbeaten run away from home prior to their visit to Villa Park, but new boy Darren Bent put a major dent (no rhyme intended by the way) in their title hopes as City ran aground.
Bitter rivals United have now opened up a five point gap over second placed Arsenal and are now six points ahead of their sky blue counterparts, so manager Mancini will definitely view this fixture with Birmingham City as a must-win and will expect all three points.
But it doesn't always run according to plan especially at St Andrews where Blues have lost just once to City in the last four matches there, while winning twice.
Manchester City do however have a reasonable away record which reads 6-3-3 19/10, but you do kind of wonder what sort of season they would have minus Carlos Tevez (14 goals, 5 assists)?!
City have now bought Edin Dzeko into their ever expensive and expansive fold, who got on the scoresheet against Notts County to save City’s blushes. There is a glimmer of hope for Blues though as Tevez is rated as doubtful with a back strain.
Adam Johnson (3 goals, 3 assists) is ruled out for 3 months, but Kompany, Kolarov and Silva will all be reinstated to the squad.
The Betting Verdict :
Birmingham City are a hard side to break down and if Tevez is not 100% fit, this may just be enough for Blues to sneak a draw - a 1-1 draw could be on the cards, but will back Birmingham with an asian handicap to play safe.
The Statistics :
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Gooner’s Statistical Value Bet
Main Pick: Take Birmingham City +0.5,+1 AH @ 1.72 with bet365
