The form book goes out of the window as the first Second City derby of the season takes place on Sunday with former Blues manager Steve Bruce returning to St Andrews in charge of Aston Villa for the first time. It will be the first taste of derby action for Steve Cotterill too – who replaced Harry Redknapp as Birmingham manager earlier this month.
EFL Championship – St Andrews – Sunday 29th October 2017 – 12:00 UK Time
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Draw Best Odd of: 23/10 at Ladbrokes |
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Birmingham City
Aston VillaBirmingham City
The Blues have struggled for form this season and are languishing in 21st place in the Championship table – 1 point outside the drop zone. They have only managed 2 wins in the Championship this term – a run of results that saw Harry Redknapp get the sack and Steve Cotterill come into post. Che Adams has been the only bright sparks for the Blues this season – scoring 4 goals this term in and averaging a goal every 110 minutes.
Aston Villa
Steve Bruce performed miracles at Birmingham City but could be in for a tasty reception when he returns to St Andrews as Aston Villa boss. Villa sit 5th in the Championship – 7 points behind leaders Wolves and they look to have a squad capable of sustaining a promotion push this term with the likes of John Terry and Robert Snodgrass in the squad. Albert Adomah has had an electrifying start to the campaign and has scored 6 goals already this term.
Head to Head
This is one of the bitterest rivalries in English football between two teams steeped with tradition. Aston Villa hold the superior head to head record with 54 wins to Birmingham City’s 38 – with another 32 draws being played out between the Black Country rivals. Their two meetings last season were fiery encounters with a 1-1 draw being played out at St Andrews almost a year ago and Villa managing to squeeze past their rivals in April 2017 – 1-0 thanks to club stalwart Gabby Agbonlahor.
Odds and Predictions
Birmingham have struggled for goals this season but this could be an open match.
Both teams to score – YES – looks a good punt at 19/20 with William Hill.
Albert Adomah has been in great form for the Villains this term and would love to score in this fixture.
Albert Adomah to score anytime looks over priced at 10/3 with Bet 365.
Derby matches can be cagey but this should be an entertaining encounter.
Over 2.5 goals in the match is a valuable punt at 13/10 with Ladbrokes.
Birmingham are sure to be up for this one but Aston Villa look in great form currently.
Aston Villa to win the match looks a shrewd move at 7/5 with Sky Bet.
Score Prediction
Birmingham City 1 – 2 Aston Villa – 9/1 with Bet Victor.
Top Betting Tip
This bitter rivalry is always a fiery encounter and the atmosphere could get the better of some of the players. A red card in the match is a real possibility at 5/2 with Paddy Power.