West Ham vs Birmingham City Betting Pick | Eng. Championship

Eng. Championship

2012-04-09 - West Ham vs Birmingham City

A Sports Betting Pick by Auls

West Ham v Birmingham City
Football: English Championship
Monday 9 April 2012 - Kick Off 5:20pm
This game is live on TV

West Ham

West Ham were comfortable winners at Oakwell on Saturday afternoon, but they must have felt it was going to be an even better day as Reading were struggling against Leeds United. However, Reading got two late goals to grab the three points, although Southampton's failure to beat Portsmouth at home has given the Hammers renewed hope that they can finish in the top two automatic promotion berths.

They are currently 3rd in the Championship table, but they are now 4 points off both Southampton and Reading and will also be buoyed by the knowledge that those two sides meet on Friday. That has increased the importance on this game, although West Ham have had a tough time at Upton Park all season. They are 9-7-4 at home this season, scoring 30 goals and conceding 22.

West Ham have only lost 1 of their last 13 League games, but it is their form at home that is letting them down in the race for automatic promotion. They have failed to win any of their last 6 at Upton Park, and were beaten 2-4 here by Reading last week. The problem has really been in the defensive side of things as West Ham have scored in 13 of their last 14 here, although only managing more than 1 goal in 1 of their last 6.

Papa Bouba Diop could be back in the starting line up having come off the bench against Barnsley. Joey O'Brien looks set to miss out again.

Birmingham City

Birmingham City are virtually set to claim one of the Championship Play Off berths this season, and they are just getting ahead of steam that can lead teams through that lottery and into the Premier League. Momentum is extremely important at this stage of the season and the team will not want to let go of what they have developed in recent games.

The Blues are 4th in the Championship and are currently 6 points clear of Brighton in the first of the non-Play Off positions. With just 5 games left to play, they will feel they are set to claim one of the Play Off positions, but a couple more wins in quick succession will make Chris Hughton a little less nervy. Birmingham have a 7-4-9 away record this season, scoring 36 goals and conceding 32.

They have now won 3 consecutive League games, scoring 3 goals in each of those wins, and they have lost just 1 of their last 6 games. Birmingham have won back to back away games in the League at Doncaster Rovers and Burnley since losing back to back games at Leicester City and Portsmouth. They have scored in 12 consecutive away games in all competitions.

Keith Fahey is set to keep his place in the side following the 3-1 win over Crystal Palace. Jonathan Spector cannot play against his former club as he is ruled out through injury and he joins Pablo Ibanez and Stephen Carr on the sidelines.

Head to Head

These two sides drew 1-1 at St Andrews on Boxing Day earlier this season.

They met twice last season with West Ham beating Birmingham 2-1 here in the Carling Cup and then losing 0-1 in the Premier League game.

West Ham had won 3 of 4 games at Upton Park between the two teams before the 0-1 loss last season.

Prediction

This could be an entertaining game on Easter Monday as both teams will be pushing for the three points that will help them achieve their individual goals.

West Ham will be desperate to put the pressure on the two teams above them by closing the gap, although Southampton are playing at Crystal Palace earlier in the day. However, Reading have a tough trip to Brighton on Tuesday and will then also be travelling to Southampton so the Hammers will truly believe they can still finish in the top two.

With that in mind, West Ham will not want to sit back and try and nick a winner and are likely to push for the goals that will send them back to a point behind Reading.

Birmingham City have also been a much more attacking force away from home than at St Andrews which has led not only to lots of goals scored, but lots of goals conceded. Their last 4 away games tells you all you need to know about their away record as they have scored 3 in each of their last 2 away wins, but conceded at least 3 in the two previous away losses.

The West Ham home form at Upton Park may have dictated the fact the layers are underestimating goals in this game- with the way both teams have played for most of the season, as well as the importance of winning this game for both teams, I think it is worth backing the Overs in this one.