Birmingham v West Brom tips: Where it could be won and lost
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With Wolves promoted to the Premier League, this battle of Birmingham takes on a lot more significance in the Midlands this season.
Birmingham City still have the big rivalry with Aston Villa to come, but West Brom will see this as an opportunity to make a statement to the rest of the league.
We take a look at who could come out on top and rise up the table…
Match Odds
City come into the game searching for their first three points of the season and are 21/10 to do so.
The Baggies have enjoyed a more successful start to life back in the Championship 27/20 to grab the victory.
In the previous four meetings stretching back to March 2006, there has only been one draw.
But it’s 21/10 to end all square.
Talking tactics
Garry Monk may bring in forward Omar Bogle for Che Adams, after the former Sheffield United man fired a blank against Queens Park Rangers.
The midfield tussle could be where this won and lost. The absence of David Davis could mean Garry Monk elects to keep the pairing of Gary Gardner and Maikel Kieftenbeld,
In a traditional 4-4-2 Jacques Maghoma and Jota will be crucial out on the flanks.
As for The Baggies, boss Darren Moore will probably elect for a 3-4-1-2 formation.
A back-three gives license to Kieran Gibbs to go raiding down the left-hand side and allows new loan signing Harvey Barnes the freedom to play in behind the two strikers.
A forward-line that consists of Hal Robson-Kanu, Jay Rodriguez and Dwight Gayle will always be a danger in this league.
Goalscorer tips
The aforementioned striking trio have notched eight goals between them. Gayle is likely to start and is 17/2 to score two or more goals.
Rodriguez to bag and WBA to win is 16/5, whilst Matt Phillips is 3/1 to increase his tally to four goals.
If Bogle does start then he’s 13/2 to open the scoring.
Team-mate Lukas Jutkeiwicz is 13/2 to be either the first or last goalscorer.
Match info
Venue: St. Andrews, Birmingham
When: 7.45pm
How to watch: Sky Sports Football / Sky Sports Main Event
Click here for more Birmingham City v West Brom odds
All Odds and Markets correct as of date of publication
