The derby of Birmingham, where Birmingham meets Aston Villa for a 3rd time in 2 months and a half.
The first game on Villa Park ended with the score of 0:0, followed by a game in Carling Cup where both teams where tied until the 84th minute when Birmingham lead with 2:1 and won the game. Both teams are only a point apart and each of them needs the 3 points badly.
Currently Birmingham are 15th with 22 points in 20 games, home record of W3 D5 L2, scoring 9 and conceding 10 goals in those games.Last home victory for Birmingham was back on November 20th with 1:0 over Chelsea. Since then the team has recorded two draw games against Tottenham and Manchester United, which is really a good achievement, and a loss against Arsenal with 0:3.
Aston Villa are now in the red zone, taking the 18th spot with 21 points in 21 games, away record of W1 D2 L7 scoring 8 goals and conceding 25 in those games. Since their away victory against the Wolves with 2:1, Villa recorded 6 consecutive losses, until their most recent away game against Chelsea that ended 3:3.
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In the direct games here, this look pretty tied up, Villa’s record reads W3 D1 L3. However Villa has won the last 3 visits here in the Premier League, while Birmingham’s victories are from 2002-2005, plus the most recent victory in the Carling Cup.
Villa has also won the last 6 in 7 meetings against Birmingham. In those meetings Birmingham has been able to score only 3 goals. Since this is a derby it’s always a 3-way game. Birmingham is considered the favorite here with odds to win at 2.40, while Villa’s odds are 3.10. The draw is priced at 3.20.
I am willing to back Birmingham in this game not only because of their recent victory over Aston Villa in the Carling Cup, but because of Villa’s poor defense this year. The team hasn’t kept a clean sheet in 11 games so far this season, and has scored only 8 goals in away games. In return the team has received 3 times as much goals and logically sits in the red zone.
Recommended Bet:
Birmingham to win @ 2.40 (Bet365)
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