Birmingham City vs Wolves – Match Preview – League leaders Wolves face a short trip to St Andrew’s as they face Birmingham in the West Midlands derby.
Wolves have had a stellar campaign so far and hold a one point lead over second place Cardiff at the top of the table. If Nuno Santo’s men were able to win it would push them ten points clear of third place Bristol City. Since losing to QPR in October Wolves have gone on to win all of their last five matches. That run also leaves them with one defeat in eight league matches, which stretches back to September.
After an underwhelming first season in the black country, Ivan Cavaleiro has stepped up to be one of Wolves brightest performers in recent weeks. The former Monaco winger has six goals this season, including four goals in his last three matches. The front three of Cavaleiro, Diogo Jota and Leo Bonatini is one of the most feared in the division, racking up 26 goals between them. The form of those three has meant that last season’s player of the year, Helder Costa, has had to settle for a spot on the bench.
Cavaleiro has scored 6 goals so far this season Photo Credit: skysports.com
Birmingham currently sit in 22nd spot in the Championship, level on points with Bolton who sit just above them. After a less than ideal campaign so far, Blues are in dire need of a few results to steer them clear of the drop zone. Last time out they did pick up an impressive point away at Sheffield United, meaning they’ve gathered four points from their last three games. If Birmingham are to get themselves out of trouble, it’s critical that they improve their home form. They’ve won just four of their home games so far this season and with Steve Cotterill’s side struggling on the road, they need to turn St Andrew’s into a fortress.
Blues have won just two of their last eight games against Wolves and haven’t beat them at home since 2015. They did however win the last encounter, when they defeated Wolves 2-1 at Molineux in February.
Adams has 5 goals for Birmingham this season Photo Credit: skysports.com
Birmingham City are the lowest scorers in the division, with just ten goals in their 19 matches. Only 12 of their 19 games have had over 1.5 goals in, which is the third lowest in the league. Wolves, however, have had over 2.5 goals in 16 of their 19 games, ranking them sixth highest.
With the top scorers in the league coming up against a side who can’t score, there’s only one way I can see this finishing. I think a good bet would be Wolves to score 2 or more goals, as I think they’ll secure a comfortable sixth win on the bounce.
Prediction: Birmingham City 0-2 Wolves
SKYBET: CAVALEIRO TO SCORE AND WOLVES TO WIN- 4/1
SKYBET: ADAMS TO SCORE FIRST AND WOLVES TO WIN 2-1- 90/1
SKYBET: BONATINI TO SCORE A BRACE- 13/2
SKYBET: BIRMINGHAM TO WIN 1-0- 14/1
SKYBET: BOLY TO SCORE A HEADER AND BIRMINGHAM TO MISS A PENALTY- 350/1
BET365: CORRECT SCORE WOLVES TO WIN 2-0- (link no longer available)
BET365: OVER 2.5 GOALS AND BTTS – (link no longer available)
