Birmingham City vs Norwich City: Betting Odds & Prediction

(Featured image: Alamy Images)

Written by: Bradley Walker

Relegation-threatened Birmingham City need a win against play-off hopefuls Norwich City if they are to remain in the Championship next season. 

The Blues find themselves 22nd in the table and must better the results of Plymouth Argyle or Sheffield Wednesday to survive the drop. Norwich secured a 2-0 home win in the reverse fixture earlier this season. 

Kick-off is set for 12:30pm UK time. 

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Birmingham City

The hosts played out a 1-1 draw at fellow strugglers Huddersfield Town last time out. The result did neither side any favours and leaves them reliant on the sides above them dropping points on the final day.

Birmingham are now undefeated in their last three nevertheless, but draws against Huddersfield and Rotherham in their last two outings have seen vital points dropped on their quest for survival. 

Fortunately for the Midlanders, their home form has kept them from falling further into the relegation abyss. The 1.5 points they've averaged at St. Andrew's is the eleventh-best in the division, and two of their last three home victories have ended in victory. 

Goals have been much easier to come by at home, where they've averaged 1.36 compared to a measly 0.83 in away fixtures. Birmingham have also been more solid at the back, conceding only 1.14 goals compared to 1.74 on the road. 

Norwich City

The Blues will be more convinced of a last-gasp escape when looking at Norwich's away record. Only five sides have fared worse on the road this season, with the Canaries averaging a meagre 1.09 points on their travels. 

Though they've only lost two of their last five away fixtures, Norwich's defensive record remains a huge concern. 41 of the 63 goals they've conceded have been in away games, averaging a worrying 1.86 per game. Norwich also have just three away clean sheets to their name so far. 

While their attacking exploits have remained consistent, sitting at a healthy 1.64 on their travels, the leaky defence will continue to plague manager David Wagner's thoughts as they prepare for the Championship play-offs over the coming month. 

Though a loss would be unlikely to threaten their spot in the top six due to their superior goal difference, defeat to a side in the relegation zone would hardly be ample preparation for a shot at a Premier League return. 

Prediction

Birmingham are the side in dire need of the points here. Norwich have looked flat recently, recording three draws in their last four, and given their torrid form on the road, OddsNow back Birmingham to secure three vital points as they look for a last-gasp survival push.  

OddsNow's Pick: Birmingham City to win (7/5 @ William Hill)

 

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