English Premier
2011-04-09 - Blackburn Rovers vs Birmingham City
A Sports Betting Pick by ArmchairPunter
Football : England : Premier League
Saturday 9th April 2011 – Kickoff 3pm
Blackburn Rovers play host to visitors Birmingham City at Ewood Park on Saturday afternoon as these two tough, uncompromising teams battle it out to pull away from the relegation zone.
Blackburn Rovers
Blackburn Rovers will be looking to end a seven match winless streak in front of their home faithful as Rovers have picked up only three points out of a possible 21, courtesy of three draws against Newcastle United 0-0, Blackpool 2-2 and a point at Arsenal 0-0. However, at this end of the season, draws are not quite enough and this will have added to their frustrations lately.
The Blackburn home record stands at 6-5-4 19/13, and only White Hart Lane (29 goals) has seen fewer Premiership goals than Ewood park so far this season. Blackburn’s return in goals is very similar to that of Birmingham City with striker Nikola Kalinic (5 goals) leading the way with a modest return.
Morten Gamst Pedersen (4 goals, 6 assists) is the key danger man both in terms of creativity and set-pieces for Blackburn, while former Blues midfielder David Dunn could face his former team-mates again on Saturday.
However, Vince Grella and Keith Andrews are both sidelined with injuries, while midfielder Steven Nzonzi is suspended following his red card against Arsenal last week.
Birmingham City
Birmingham City pulled out of the bottom three last weekend with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Bolton Wanderers and manager Alex McLeish will be demanding more of the same at Blackburn on Saturday.
Statistically though, the odds are against them securing another massive three points at Ewood Park as they’ve won only two away matches all season, and have not beaten Blackburn away since January 1968!
It is interesting to note that 9 out of the last 10 meetings between these two sides has resulted in over 2.5 goals, but I'm steering away from that option this time as I think Blues will alter their formation to a 4-5-1, with McLeish hinting that Kevin Phillips will start up front.
Lethal as Phillips can be, he will be up against towering defender Christopher Samba and without the guile of David Bentley, the service to feet may be lacking.
Blues have quite a few injuries as well; strikers Nikola Zigic and Obafemi Martins both have groin injuries and are unlikely to play, along with defenders Martin Jiranek & Scott Dann, David Bentley and James McFadden. Left-back David Murphy could return as might Alexander Hleb, but both may have to settle for a place on the bench.
The Betting Verdict :
Both teams are very similar in set up and personnel, and with so much at stake now with the pack chasing just behind them, I think they will cancel each other out in a 1-1 draw.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Blackburn Rovers 1-1 Birmingham City
BEST BETTING TIP :
Main Pick: Taking the Draw @ 3.41 with PinnacleSports could be a good choice for your loose change
