Birmingham City v Liverpool
Football : England : Premier League
Sunday 12th September 2010 – Kickoff 4pm

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It’s back to Premiership action this weekend as The Blues take on Roy Hodgson’s Liverpool at St Andrews on Sunday in the afternoon fixture at 4pm.

Birmingham City (6th)

Birmingham City find themselves in the unusual position of being higher than Liverpool in the league, the season albeit in the embryonic stages.

But it's a testament of how far City have come in the past few seasons, playing in the Premiership (and holding their own), whilst attracting players like Matt Derbyshire and Alexander Hleb (who, incidentally, turned down Liverpool to join Birmingham City on a one year loan). Chilean winger Jean Beausejour has also signed on a three year deal, along with Martin Jiranek on a one year deal.

Birmingham have made a solid start so far with two 2-2 draws against Sunderland & Bolton Wanderers respectively, with a 2-1 win over Blackburn Rovers sandwiched in-between.

Birmingham's success last season was built on making St Andrews a fortress – indeed, they have now extended their unbeaten run at home in the Premiership to 16 matches. This has included draws against highly financed Manchester City, Chelsea, Manchester United, Tottenham, Arsenal and Liverpool.

Birmingham will be without striker Kevin Phillips as he continues his recovery, along with new signing Alexander Hleb who is also sidelined.

Birmingham City (6th)

Liverpool under Roy Hodgson are currently undergoing something of a transitional period – I rate Hodgson as a manager, but I think he missed a bit of a trick by letting creative midfielder Benayoun go to Chelsea. Okay, he got Joe Cole back in return, but Benayoun seems to dodge the injuries a little better.

The Reds have made a slow start this term with a 1-1 draw at home to Arsenal, a 0-3 loss at Manchester City and then a narrow 1-0 win over West Brom. But their away form has been woeful by their standards; they have won just 1 match out of the last ten away trips which was a 4-0 win at hapless Burnley in April this year.

Striker Dirk Kuyt has been ruled out for the next four weeks, while new signing left-back Paul Konchesky (bad move) is in line to make his debut at Birmingham. Last season’s regular left-back, Emiliano Insua has gone to Galatasaray on a season loan.

I think Liverpool will settle under Hodgson soon, but right now, the players all need to get used to the system and for Hodgson to decide on his best side.

Head-to-head :

The last four meetings between these two sides have ended in draws, 1-1, 2-2, 2-2 & 0-0. And, out of the last eight top-flight fixtures, six have resulted in draws.

The Betting Verdict :

Given the recent scores between the sides, I think they are well matched and I’m therefore going for another draw in this one.

The Statistics :

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

Pick: Take the Draw at 3.29 with Pinnacle Sports