Leeds vs Birmingham prediction: ENGLAND: Championship betting tips on match 2023-12-31 15:00.
Leeds United suffered another blow to their automatic promotion chances in the Championship as they were defeated 1-0 on the road by West Brom on Friday. That result leaves the Elland Road outfit nine points behind second-placed Ipswich heading into the first matchday of 2024, as they suffered back-to-back league defeats for the first time this season.
With all six of their league losses this campaign coming on the road, an immediate return to the Premier League for Leeds could hinge on their superb home form this campaign (W8, D4). Of all sides in the competition, the Yorkshire outfit are actually the only team still undefeated at home, which should provide a much-needed confidence boost, especially as they’ve lost four of their last six league H2Hs against Birmingham City (W2).
That said, the visitors themselves remain in torrid form of their own as a 0-0 draw with Bristol City on Friday extended their winless run to four Championship outings (D2, L2). Overall, their return of just two wins in 14 attempts (D4, L8) under manager Wayne Rooney has seen Birmingham transformed from play-off chasers to potential relegation candidates, and with the club struggling on the road in particular this campaign, another negative result here wouldn’t come as a surprise.
On a more positive note, the Blues have enjoyed moderate success when travelling to Elland Road overall this century. They’ve won more times (6) than they’ve lost (5) at this venue during that span, and they’ll hope to add to that further here to make it two league doubles over Leeds from the last three seasons in which they’ve shared a division!
Players to watch: Joël Piroe has netted nine Championship goals this season, with Leeds emerging victorious from all eight of his goalscoring appearances, though he’s never been on the winning side in five prior personal H2Hs (D3, L2). As for Birmingham, they will hope that top scorer Jay Stansfield can add to his tally of seven league strikes, five of which have come after half-time.
Hot stat: Only Rotherham (25) have conceded more goals than Birmingham (22) across any side’s last ten Championship away games.