English Premier
2010-02-07 - Birmingham City vs Wolves
A Sports Betting Pick by Cruiser
Analysis:Birmingham City will be keen to inflict more damage to Wolverhampton after Wolves suffered a humiliating FA Cup exit midweek against Championship outfit Crystal Palace replay victory at Selhurst Park.
The only good thing for Mick McCarthy side coming into this match is that he can take solitude in the fact that prior to that Cup defeat Wolves ended a three-match losing run with back-to-back draws against Liverpool and Hull City in recent weeks.
Birmingham, meanwhile, will be looking to extend their unbeaten run at home after having transformed their ground into a fortress since gaining promotion last season.
Birmingham have not been beaten at St. Andrews since Bolton beat them back in September last year and Alex McLeish will be keen to maintain that record after seeing City's overall unbeaten run of 15 games come to an end at Chelsea 10 days ago.
With regards to the team news, McLeish will need to decide on the starting lineups as recent acquisitions Michel and Craig Gardner pressing for starts. Michel has been limited to substitute appearances since joining from Sporting Gijon and fellow midfielder Gardner is waiting to make his debut after joining from Aston Villa.
Kevin Phillips is available for selection after returning from a groin injury. The veteran striker, who was promised games by McLeish in the second half of the season, could be handed his first start of the year and will at least feature on the bench if he does not start this match.
But the trio of Lee Carsley, Gary O'Connor and Teemu Tainio remain long-term absentees for the Blues and will not be available for this match.
Wolves have Kevin Doyle, Matt Jarvis, Stephen Ward and Marcus Hahnemann available for Sunday's short trip to Birmingham after they were missing from midweek action.
Striker Doyle (calf and Achilles), winger Jarvis (calf) and left-back Ward (leg) were all injured while goalkeeper Hahnemann was rested and McCarthy also has midfielder Adlene Guedioura available today. Guedioura, who arrived on loan from Charleroi last month, returns to the squad after being ineligible for the FA Cup tie.
Take Birmingham to get maximum points.
Cheers and good luck,
Cruiser
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Birmingham 1-0
BEST BETTING TIP :
Take Birmingham to win here.
Gooner’s Statistical Value Bet
Take Birmingham and give the 1/2 ball here.
