Birmingham Hangover

A bet on Birmingham City this weekend comes marked with a big warning sticker labelled ‘after the Lord Mayor’s Show.’ After their thrilling, unexpected and well-deserved Carling Cup victory at Wembley on Sunday, they must now return to the relative humdrum of a Premier League relegation battle. Can they muster the same levels of commitment against local rivals West Brom, who need the points even more? It does seem unlikely.

Roy Hodgson’s new side should go to St Andrews with a spring in their step too. An 87th minute equaliser at the Brittania Stadium on Monday night grabbed a priceless point for WBA, that they very nearly turned into three during stoppage time. The Baggies’ spirit doesn’t seem to be in question since Vela popped up with a 92nd minute leveller in the previous game to also deny relegation rivals Wolves a win.

The Blues sit one point ahead of WBA having played two matches less. These games in hand are enough to convince most bookies, at 4/1, that Alex McLeish’s side won’t be playing European football during a Championship campaign next season. For West Brom the situation looks more ominous, but even so they do currently sit on the right side of the dreaded dotted line, and they may feel Saturday is a big opportunity.

A celebrating Birmingham seem hard to back even at 7/5 with VictorChandler. The draw at 23/10 with PaddyPower could be on but I’ll stick my neck out and back a rare West Brom away win at 12/5 with StanJames.