SM
Man City vs. Brighton: 13 hrs 28 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
B
Championship
Feb 22, 2014 at 3pm UK
 
BL

1-2

Keogh (22')
FT(HT: 1-0)
Novak (63', 82')

Preview: Blackpool vs. Birmingham City

:Headline: Preview: Blackpool vs. Birmingham City: ID:139698: from db_amp
Sports Mole previews Saturday's Championship clash between out-of-form Blackpool and troubled Birmingham at Bloomfield Road.

Blackpool fans must be wondering whether they will ever win a match again ahead of their Championship meeting with Birmingham City at Bloomfield Road on Saturday.

A goalless draw against Ipswich Town made it 15 games without a win for the Seasiders, who have slipped from playoff contenders to potential relegation candidates.

A substantial gap of 11 points still separates them from the bottom three, but on current form they won't open that gap up much and, with 22nd-placed Charlton Athletic having three games in hand, things could begin to get uncomfortable for Blackpool soon.

If there is a positive to be taken, it is that they have drawn their last two matches, which is at least an improvement on a woeful spell of two points from a possible 39 before that.

Blackpool lasted tasted victory at the end of November, and it is unsurprisingly a club-record run without a win now for the Tangerines.

In comparison to their overall form, their home performances have been a little more promising, with three draws and three defeats in their last six matches.

However, Barry Ferguson will be desperate for that elusive victory, and he could have Neal Bishop back available after two months out. Jack Robinson is doubtful, however.

Birmingham, meanwhile, have had a disappointing season themselves and it took another twist this week when reports emerged that they had sacked manager Lee Clark's coaching team.

A club statement refusing to discuss the matter only served to add more confusion to the situation, and Clark may well have other things on his mind as he prepares his team for Saturday's match.

They, like Blackpool, are not yet safe from relegation, with just nine points separating them from the drop zone.

Charlton's three games in hand make their position all the more precarious, and the Blues will be desperate to take advantage of Blackpool's inability to win in order to edge further away from the bottom three.

Curiously, Birmingham's away form has been their saving grace so far this season, amassing 20 points on their travels compared to just 13 in front of their own fans.

They have only won one of their last seven games in all competitions, but just two defeats and five wins in their last nine league games on the road makes for much better reading.

Jonathan Spector is nearing a return from injury, but Saturday's match could come too soon for him as he is likely to join Neal Eardley, Matthew Green and Mitch Hancox on the sidelines.

Recent form

Blackpool: LDLLDD

Birmingham: LLDWLL

Possible starting lineups

Blackpool: Gilks; McMahon, Broadfoot, Mackenzie, Halliday; Dobbie, Perkins, Basham, Bishop; Keogh, Davies

Birmingham: Randolph; Caddis, Packwood, Martin, Robinson; Adeyemi, Huws; Burke, Novak, Lee; Macheda

Sports Mole says: 1-1


amp_article__139698 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2014-02-21 07:56:15:
html db last update - 2014-02-21 07:56:15 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html
Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Birmingham CityBirmingham35257358233582
2Wycombe WanderersWycombe351911561332868
3Wrexham36208850302068
4Charlton AthleticCharlton36189947311663
5Stockport CountyStockport361711852341862
6Bolton WanderersBolton36186125954560
7Huddersfield TownHuddersfield361771247331458
8Reading361610105145658
9Leyton Orient361651551371453
10Barnsley36157145051-152
11Blackpool36121595448651
12Stevenage36139143437-348
13Lincoln CityLincoln361210144845346
14Rotherham UnitedRotherham35128153941-244
15Wigan AthleticWigan351110143234-243
16Exeter CityExeter35127163950-1143
17Bristol Rovers36126183955-1642
18Mansfield TownMansfield36118174150-941
19Northampton TownNorthampton361011153653-1741
20Peterborough UnitedPeterborough35109165260-839
21Burton Albion36712173653-1733
22Crawley TownCrawley3679203866-2830
23Cambridge UnitedCambridge3678213560-2529
24Shrewsbury TownShrewsbury3677223460-2628
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .