Birmingham City V Stoke City

English Premiership 2009/2010

Birmingham City V Stoke City

Kick-Off: Saturday 22nd August – 15:00 GMT

Venue: St. Andrews

Although this game may not catch the eye of many neutral Premiership followers, it will certainly intrigue both sets of fans and their respective managers as they know full well that this is a game both teams could win, and let’s face, they’re aren’t too many nowadays. Both Alex Mcleish and Tony Pulis will have pin-pointed this fixture, amongst others, as a possible six pointer as both have the credentials to be possible relegation sides come the last few games of the season.

Birmingham couldn’t of asked for a harder fixture when they drew league champions Manchester United at Old Trafford for their first fixture of the new campaign. However, Alex Mcleish’s side came away from Old Trafford with their heads firmly held high after a battling display which nearly brought them a surprise draw but, at the end of the day, it didn’t pay dividends. Wayne Rooney scored the only goal as United ran out 1-0 winners but Birmingham’s display sent out a message to the potential stragglers that they’re here to fight for their Premiership status and that they do have the qualities needed to survive in, what is, a gruelling league.

Alex Mcleish claimed all the plaudits for Birmingham’s performance at Old Trafford but those sort of team displays are all good and well at the start of the season when the pressure is off but if they keep playing well and not picking up points then those compliments will soon turn nasty. However, for the time being at least, we will give Birmingham the benefit of the doubt as they head into a winnable game against Stoke City with hopes of winning back-to-back games in the Premiership after their midweek victory over Portsmouth.

Birmingham can play attractive football at times and they’ve already shown us this in their match with Man Utd and on Wednesday when they entertained Portsmouth at St. Andrews. They get the ball down and play to feet and will grind out plenty of chances but their problems do lye at the back in our opinion. Their defence looked lost at times against United with long ball hoofs often being the last form of defence for ‘Brummie’. Alex McLeish will need to in-store some organisation at the back before Birmingham’s defensive frailties are exposed.

Tony Pulis also won over the pundits for Stoke’s opening day display when they secured their first three points of the season against newly promoted Burnley. Stoke beat Owen Coyle’s team 2-0 on the day as they got off to the perfect start. However, their opening goal of the new season came from a familiar route as Ryan Shawcross scored from a set-piece while their second came from another set-piece but from the head of the opponent. Of course, Stoke don’t hide the fact that they love playing their aerial tactics week in – week out, but, sooner or later, Stoke will get found out. Burnley lacked the height and experience required to handle those tactics but Alex McLeish could be wise to Pulis’s ‘Plan A’. If so, does Tony Pulis have a ‘Plan B’?!

As long as Stoke keeping getting the right results then no one will criticise Tony Pulis for using the ‘rustle & Bustle’ card. However, this will be their second stint in the top flight and managers will know exactly what they’re getting with Stoke City. Before long, Stoke will need to start playing actual football and against a team like Birmingham, who can play decent football, they could come unstuck. This was certainly the case on Wednesday as Stoke were thumped 4-0 at Anfield by Liverpool and taught a lesson in how to play the beautiful game. Will they suffer another harsh lesson this weekend?

Head-to-Head:

This will be the first encounter between the two in the Premiership so both will be eager to set the first head-to-head win over the other. The pair did meet twice back in The Championship with both being very close affairs. Birmingham beat Stoke 1-0 at home back in 2006/2007 while Stoke took a point at The Brittania when Birmingham came to visit in the same season.

Match Verdict: Birmingham City to WIN – 11/8 Bet365

This should be a very tight game between two teams desperate to bolster their points tally ahead of what could be a tricky season. However, It’s Birmingham’s pretty football that is edging us towards a home victory here with our only reservation being their unconvincing back line. If they can get it right at the back then they should add a vital three points to their survival cause.

Match Odds:

Birmingham City – 11/8 Bet365

Stoke City – 11/5 PaddyPower

Draw – 23/10 Boylesports

SoccerBetting Tip: Under 2.5 Goals – 4/5 SkyBet