After the International break the Championship returns and two teams that have started well try and keep some momentum going. Stoke City play host to Birmingham City in what could be an entertaining match.
EFL Championship
Our Three Predictions For Stoke City v Birmingham City
Prediction 1 – Stoke City To Win – 21/10
Prediction 2 – Both Teams To Score – Yes – 17/20
Prediction 3 – Match To End In A Draw – 11/5
First Prediction For Stoke City v Birmingham City – Stoke City To Win – 21/10
Stoke City have made a good start to the new season, and could be the surprise package in the Championship this season if the first month is to go by. They have won three of the first four games, and sit in a deserved third place. At home they have won one and lost one, but will come into this game wanting to put that defeat behind them, It was a 1-0 defeat to West Bromwich Albion, who are tipped to do well this season. Birmingham City have dropped a little off their fast start, and will need to be better than the last time out at Leicester City where they also suffered their first loss of the campaign, 2-0.
Second Prediction For Stoke City v Birmingham City – Both Teams To Score – Yes – 4/5
With both sides starting brightly it will be no surprise that neither has had trouble scoring goals. To reach third place and tenth, both Stoke and Birmingham must be doing something right in front of goal. The home side has managed just three goals on home soil in two games, but five away, so average two a game. Their visitors have totalled just four overall but at a goal a game that average should be upheld in this game as Stoke can be got at and a somewhat stubborn defence could yield more than the three so far. Likewise, the Blues have conceded as many as they have scored, so both goalkeepers could well be busy in this game.
Third Prediction For Stoke City v Birmingham City – Match To End In A Draw – 11/5
Stoke have yet to register a draw this season, and Birmingham only once, a very credible 1-1 with early promotion hopefuls Ipswich Town. Points at this time of the season are at a premium, and both with want to add to their good opening tally so far. Three of the last six played out between the two have ended in draws, so history shows that games between the two are invariably tight affairs, so both could well be happy with a point in this game.
Best Odds For Stoke City v Birmingham City
| Bookmaker | Stoke Win | Draw | Birmingham Win |
| MyriadPlay | 21/10 | 11/5 | 5/4 |
| GentlemanJim | 21/10 | 21/10 | 11/8 |
| Betarno | 203/100 | 209/100 | 33/25 |
Full Preview Of The Game: Last Results And Head To Head
Mark Robins is setting about his task well, and imposing his style of play on a Stoke City team that is perhaps punching a little at the moment. As long as the positive results keep coming then his side will grow more in belief, and opposing teams will play with more trepidation. This could be a wide open, free-flowing game, and that means the attacking play of Million Manhoef, Sorba Thomas, Divin Mubama will come to the fore. All three have scored twice so far, and Welshman Thomas also has three assists making him the player most will watch keenly. Defensively they have been solid, Ben Wilmot and Junior Thchamadeu have performed well and goalkeeper Viktor Johansson has only picked the ball out of his net three times.
Birmingham City are riding the wave of last seasons record breaking promotion, and so far showing they have enough to maintain a decent challenge at the top end of the Championship table. This will be no shock to gaffer Chris Davies, as he tries to guide City through the early stages of the season to a position that could well help them push on in the new calendar year. Goals have been in short supply though, with only four they will have to get more clinical. Defensively though they are fine, with the same amount conceded. Look out for the consistent play of defender Christoph Klarer, as well as the exciting play of South Korean Paik Seung-Ho.
Confrontation
Where To Watch Stoke City v Birmingham City
Location: The bet365 Stadium, Stok-on-Trent, Staffordshire
Date And Time: September 13, 3pm
TV Channel: This match is not due to be televised live
Probable Lineups For Stoke City v Birmingham City
Probable Lineup For Stoke City
Team: Johansson; Cresswell, Wilmot, Lawal, Tchamadeu; Seko, Baker; Thomas, Jun-Ho, Manhoef; Mubama
Manager: Mark Robins
Probable Lineup For Birmingham City
Team: Allsop; Osayi-Samuel, Neumann, Klarer, Laird; Willumsson, Iwata, Seung-Ho, Gray; Koumas, Furuhashi
Manager: Chris Davies
