Birmingham vs Leicester prediction: ENGLAND: Championship betting tips on match 2023-12-17 20:00.
A first away win as Birmingham boss at Cardiff last Wednesday somewhat eased the pressure on high-profile manager Wayne Rooney, but he immediately told his players not to get “carried away.” After all, by the time they kick off on Monday night, the Blues could well have been dragged back into the relegation scrap, with just two victories in their last ten games (D2, L6) behind their struggles.
On a more positive note, Rooney’s side return to St. Andrew’s on Monday night, where they have lost just once in Championship action this term (W5, D4, L1). Only Leeds have lost fewer times on home soil ahead of the round, though notably Birmingham have won just one of their four home games under Rooney (D2, L1) so far, and were booed off in their last home outing after a goalless draw with Rotherham.
Leading the way in the Championship ahead of this round of games, no team has picked up more points away from home than the Foxes (25), who have won eight of their ten on the road (D1, L1). That record is bolstered by the fact that they’ve found the back of the net in nine of their ten away league games, scoring in both halves in six of those – more than any other side in the division prior to the weekend’s action.
Having gone 11 points clear in the automatic promotion spots last week, Enzo Maresca’s side will take a back seat over the weekend and keep a close eye on their rivals’ results. They’d be wise not to take their eye off the ball though, as despite losing on just one of their last ten visits to St. Andrew’s (W5, D4), and winning the three most recent H2Hs, Leicester have secured victory in just one of their last three away league games (D1, L1).
Players to watch: Juninho Bacuna has three goals this season, all in the first half, with Birmingham winning all three of the games he’s scored in. Patson Daka is the man of the moment for Leicester, scoring after the break in back-to-back games.
Hot streak: Leicester have conceded exactly once in six successive away league games.