EUROPA LEAGUE BETTING PICK - BIRMINGHAM CITY V CLUB BRUGGE KV

Europa League

2011-11-03 - Birmingham City vs Club Brugge KV

A Sports Betting Pick by Cruiser

Match Preview :

Birmingham enters this match being unbeaten in eight games in all competitions. Now they will be aiming for three successive wins in the Europa League when Club Brugge visit St Andrew's tonight. Playing in the Championships and Europa League doesn't seem to be a problem for Chris Hughton's side as they have done remarkably well so far.

And Birmingham are also top of Group H after Chris Wood's goal in the 10th minute of injury-time a fortnight ago secured a 2-1 victory away to Brugge. However, despite the impressive start to the Europa League, Hughton is maintains his side are still underdogs to reach the last 32 and maintains that Brugge and last season's runners-up Braga are the favourites to progress.

For the record, Birmingham lost their only previous home match in the group 3-1 to Braga, but followed that up with a 2-1 victory at Maribor before becoming the first English side to win at Brugge in eight tries.

As for the visitors, Brugge head into the game without a coach after Adrie Koster was sacked following the weekend's 5-4 defeat by Champions League participants Genk. It was a fourth defeat in a row for Brugge in all competitions and the visitors will be aiming to recapture the form which brought back-to-back wins over Maribor and Braga. Interestingly, Former England and Nottingham Forest boss Steve McClaren is reportedly top of Brugge's shortlist to replace Koster and it will be interesting to see if he is spotted at the stadium.

Team News :

Hughton will have Wade Elliott and Pablo Ibanez back in his side for the clash tonight. Midfielder Elliott has not featured since picking up a calf injury in the 2-1 triumph in Belgium two weeks ago, while centre-back Ibanez has also missed out due to the concussion he sustained late on in the same match. Several knocks and bruises will be assessed before kick-off, but midfielders Morgaro Gomis (groin) and Jordon Mutch (ankle) remain out of the side.

Predictions :

Take Birmingham and give the 1/4 ball.

Cheers and good luck,
Cruiser

The Pick :

BEST BETTING TIP :

Take Birmingham to win.