Birmingham City v Blackburn Rovers
Football : English Premier League
Saturday 21 August 2010 - Kickoff 3pm

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Birmingham City

Alex McCleish worked wonders last year at Birmingham City, overseeing a top half finish in the Premier League while the turbulent takeover of the club was completed. However, the additional funds available to the manager has not made it easier to attract players to the club and they go into this season with much the same personnel from last year.

Birmingham drew 2-2 at Sunderland last week, after being 2-0 down, but that did not mean that McCleish was happy with the performance. They will once again rely on their home form to help stabilise the club in this division and avoid the relegation battle, although last season they were the only club in the Premier League that did not win a home game by more than 1 goal. Their 8-9-2 home record from last season could have a distinctly different look this season if they do not improve on the 19 home goals scored.

Ben Foster was brought in from Manchester United to replace Joe Hart from last season. Kevin Phillips is the only absence for their first home game of the season. Matt Derbyshire was signed this week on loan from Olympiakos and could be in the squad to face his former club.

Possible Birmingham City Line Up: Foster, Carr, Ridgewell, Dann, Johnson, Larsson, Ferguson, Bowyer, McFadden, O'Connor and Jerome (4-5-1)

Blackburn Rovers

Blackburn Rovers could soon join the rich table if the rumours regarding investment into the club are correct as 2 Indian Businessmen attempt to take control. This could be a welcome boost to Sam Allardyce who has had to tighten the purse strings this Summer as they attempt to reach the top half of the Premier League again.

The side managed a 1-0 win over Everton last week at Ewood Park where Rovers continue to display their toughness. This solidity is not found as often when the team is forced to travel for matches as highlighted by their 3-5-11 away record from last season. Blackburn have an almost mirror image when hosting teams at Ewood where they were 10-6-3. The lack of goals in away games need to be rectified by Allardyce, as Rovers only scored 13 goals in their 19 games while conceding 37.

David Dunn remains a doubt for Blackburn to face his old side here. Vincent Grella will miss out.

Possible Blackburn Rovers Line Up: Robinson, Olsson, Givet, Samba, Nelson, Salgado, Jones, N'Zonzi, Pedersen, El Hadji Diouf and Kalinic (4-5-1)

Head to Head

The 2 sides rarely play out draws as indicated by the last 8 games always providing 3 points for one of the teams. In fact, Birmingham City have won their last 4 home games against Blackburn Rovers while losing on each of their last 4 visits to Ewood Park.

The last 9 games between the sides at St Andrews since 1988 have seen 6 wins for Birmingham City and 3 for Blackburn Rovers.

Interestingly, 8 of the last 9 meetings between the sides have ended with 3 or more goals.

Prediction

Birmingham City will be hoping they can continue with their form at St Andrews this season after only losing 2 games here last year, but there must be a concern that all their wins came by 1 goal, something that could easily change this season and leave Birmingham falling down the table.

Blackburn Rovers are a side that are extremely difficult to play at Ewood Park yet a little fragile when playing away from home. Sam Allardyce will insist they improve on their defensive record when on their travels.

It seems both sides enjoy playing against one another and I am a little surprised that there always seems to be goals in this match up. Birmingham look like a big price but I am a little concerned if they can continue racking up the 1 goal wins.

Birmingham looked a little troubled in defence last week in their game at Sunderland while Blackburn have had their troubles in keeping clean sheets away from home. Therefore the over 2.5 option looks a little big in a game that has been full of goals in recent meetings and in a match which could go either way.

The Statistics :

The Pick :

Birmingham City 2-1 Blackburn Rovers

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

I'll have a go at the OVER 2.5 GOALS option here.