Birmingham have had their problems finding the back of the next this season but have shown signs of piecing things together in recent weeks, with the 2-2 draw at Liverpool 12 days ago extending their unbeaten run to three games. Fulham have hit some form of their own of late, though, with American midfielder Clint Dempsey eager to make it four goals in as many games.
Quick Check
Birmingham City
- Barry Ferguson is available after serving a one-match ban.
- Home teams are unbeaten in the last four encounters between the two teams.
- Midfielder Sebastian Larsson scored in the corresponding fixture two years ago.
- Alex McLeish’s side are unbeaten in their last three games.
- Striker Garry O’Connor is facing a four-month lay-off after complications arising from groin surgery.
- Teemu Tainio is struggling for full fitness after limping off at Liverpool.
- The Blues have only scored four goals at home this season, the worst in the Premier League.
- Birmingham have kept only two clean sheets in their last nine games.
Fulham
- Striker Andy Johnson could feature after spending the last five weeks on the injury sidelines.
- Winger Damien Duff will be recalled after overcoming an Achilles problem
- Captain Danny Murphy is also hoping to return after a month out with knee trouble.
- Clint Dempsey has scored in Fulham’s last three games.
- Roy Hodgson’s side has lost just once in their last eight games in all competitions.
- Fulham have conceded in nine of their last ten league matches.
- The west London side haven’t won away from home since the opening day of the season at Portsmouth.
Expert Advice
Birmingham’s draw at Anfield in the last game shows how far Alex McLeish’s side has come in the last month and they will enter the clash against Fulham in confident mood that they can record back-to-back home wins. The Blues are still not scoring as many goals as their manager would like, but they have been tidy at the back all season and face a Fulham side who haven’t won on the road since the opening day of the campaign. Home advantage has proved crucial in in recent years and that could be the case again, so Betsson’s odds of 4.05 for a Birmingham win by one goal appears a value bet.
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