Birmingham vs Southampton prediction: ENGLAND: Championship betting tips on match 2024-03-01 15:00.
Birmingham fans will hope this past weekend’s defeat at Ipswich wasn’t a sign of what life will look like without boss Tony Mowbray in the dugout, especially as they come into the weekend just three points above safety. The veteran has been forced to step away from his duties for approximately six weeks while he undergoes medical treatment for an unnamed illness, and without him in attendance, the Blues slipped to just their third defeat since the 60-year-old was appointed in early January (W3, D1).
Two late goals sealed their fate in East Anglia, meaning Birmingham have now conceded 15 league goals beyond the 75th minute this term – only Blackburn had conceded more at the end of the last round. It was also in this period that Southampton’s Adam Armstrong netted in their 3-1 home victory in October’s reverse fixture which extended Birmingham’s winless H2H run to three matches (D1, L2).
Things don’t get any easier for the hosts as they welcome another side chasing promotion. On the plus side, the Saints have been on the slide of late, with three defeats in their last four league matches (W1) compounded by another loss away to Liverpool in the FA Cup on Wednesday night. With less time to prepare, they travel north aware any further slip-ups could see the yawning five-point gap to the top-two extended further by the close of play this weekend.
While Russell Martin’s men are forced to hit the road again, this assignment looks much easier, at least on paper, than the one at Anfield in midweek. Furthermore, they travel with the confidence of an imposing league away record – only leaders Leicester had earned more away points than Southampton (32) at the end of the round, and just one of their last 13 away Championship games since September ended in defeat (W7, D5).
Players to watch: Birmingham’s Jay Stansfield started life under Mowbray on fire, with three direct goal contributions in his first three matches (G2, A1), and while he’s not added anymore since, he did score in the last H2H. Adam Armstrong also scored in that game and has netted in three of Southampton’s past four competitive away matches.
Hot stat: Southampton have scored in 16 of their 17 away league games this season – a record only Leicester can match.