Birmingham City vs Preston North End: Betting Odds & Prediction

Birmingham City host Preston North End on Monday afternoon.

The hosts are at risk of falling into the relegation zone of the Sky Bet Championship if results go against them elsewhere, with Huddersfield and Sheffield Wednesday only behind on goal difference. 

The visitors are attempting to stay within touching distance of the playoff positions, currently sitting five points adrift but with a game in hand. Kick-off is set for 3pm UK time at St. Andrews.

Recent Form

Birmingham City

The hosts have only taken one point from their last seven matches. This poor run of form has prompted the club to bring back old boss Gary Rowett on an interim basis. Monday’s game will be Rowett’s first home match in charge, after losing 2-1 in his first away game to fellow relegation candidates QPR last time out.

Defeat to QPR made it four losses in a row for the Blues, with Juninho Bacuna scoring to put an end to their three-match long goal drought. Birmingham have struggled to score all season but have been more prolific at home than on the road. Their expected goal (xG) tally sits at 1.3 in home matches this season, which they have bettered by averaging 1.37 goals per game. They average 9.89 shots per home game but have failed to score in 32% of their fixtures at St. Andrews.

Rowett is attempting to fix a defence that has only kept a clean sheet in 26% of their home matches. Birmingham’s expected goals against (xGA) tally sits at 1.39 at home, which they have bettered by conceding an average of 1.26 goals per game.

"We've got to show some character now."

Gary Rowett reacts to our late defeat and looks ahead to Monday.

— Birmingham City FC (@BCFC) March 29, 2024

Preston North End

The visitors come into the tie in fine form having comfortably defeated Rotherham United 3-0 last time out. Preston have won their last three matches on the road, remaining unbeaten in four.

The Lilywhites have struggled to create chances away from home this season, with their expected goal (xG) tally sitting at only 0.81. They have bettered that tally however, netting an average of 1.17 goals per game on the road. Preston have been in prolific goalscoring form recently, netting six in their last three away games.

Ryan Lowe’s side have been formidable at the back in recent matches, conceding only two goals in their last five matches and keeping a clean sheet in three consecutive away games. On the road this season, Lowe’s side have averaged an expected goals against (xGA) tally of 1.31 which they have bettered by conceding 1.28 goals per game.

Prediction

Gary Rowett will be hoping that he can provide a ‘new manager bounce’ for Birmingham in his first home match as he looks to steer them clear of relegation, but we expect Preston to be too strong.

With the visitors in prolific form and performing particularly well on the road recently, OddsNow expect Preston to come away with a win from their trip to St. Andrews, moving closer to the playoff positions and compounding Birmingham’s recent struggles.

OddsNow's Pick: Preston North End to win (21/10 @ Betfair)