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Championship | Gameweek 11
Oct 2, 2021 at 3pm UK
St Andrew's
NF

Birmingham
0 - 3
Nott'm Forest


Jutkiewicz (32')
FT(HT: 0-2)
Grabban (11'), Yates (29'), Spence (53')
Yates (36'), Lowe (59'), Grabban (67')

Preview: Birmingham City vs. Nottingham Forest - prediction, team news, lineups

:Headline: Preview: Birmingham City vs. Nottingham Forest - prediction, team news, lineups:
Sports Mole previews Saturday's Championship clash between Birmingham City and Nottingham Forest, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Sports Mole

Nottingham Forest make the trip to face Birmingham City at St Andrew's on Saturday afternoon looking to extend their unbeaten Championship record to four matches.

While the visitors are on the up after the appointment of Steve Cooper, Blues head into this contest on the back of four games without a win.


Match preview

The appointment of new managers are known to lead to instant improvements in many cases, and that has been no different since Forest replaced Chris Hughton with Cooper.

However, even after just two games, the former Swansea City head coach is seen as a major success, guiding Forest to four points against Millwall and Barnsley.

The East Midlands outfit have fought back on both occasions, Wednesday's fixture at Oakwell seeing three goals scored during the closing half hour.

While Cooper will not move away from his back-three strategy in the long term, the switch to 4-2-3-1 paid off immediately with Philip Zinckernagel, Brennan Johnson and Lewis Grabban all getting on the scoresheet.

Forest now sit outside of the relegation zone for the first time this season, and Cooper will expect further progress against opponents who have alarmingly lost their way.

Three defeats in four matches have changed the perception that Birmingham will emerge as playoff contenders this season, Lee Bowyer's side now down in 15th position.

The manner of the setbacks are concerning Blues supporters with their club well beaten by Fulham, Peterborough United and Queens Park Rangers respectively.

Bowyer is under pressure to deviate away from any tactics which involve using a three-man defence, something which may prove difficult when their next opponents use a similar tactic.

Nevertheless, Bowyer must change something behind the scenes at St Andrew's, as well as demanding more from Troy Deeney who is yet to make an impact since joining his boyhood club.

Birmingham City Championship form:
  • D
  • W
  • L
  • L
  • D
  • L

Nottingham Forest Championship form:
  • D
  • L
  • L
  • W
  • D
  • W

Team News

While Bowyer may resist calls to change to 4-2-3-1, the Blues boss is expected to make a number of alterations to his starting lineup.

Lukas Jutkiewicz should get the nod over Deeney or Scott Hogan, while George Friend may return to the defence.

Having netted as a substitute against Barnsley, Grabban is in contention for a recall to the Forest attack.

Alex Mighten is another option for Cooper, but the Forest boss is unlikely to hand starts to both of those players.

Barring any late fitness issues, the remainder of the team should remain the same as Cooper looks to build momentum.

Birmingham City possible starting lineup:
Sarkic; Sanderson, Dean, Friend; Colin, Woods, Sunjic, Bela; Chong; Jutkiewicz, Deeney

Nottingham Forest possible starting lineup:
Samba; Worrell, Figueiredo, McKenna; Spence, Yates, Garner, Lowe; Johnson, Zinckernagel; Grabban


We say: Birmingham City 1-2 Nottingham Forest

With Bowyer seemingly caught between formations at the moment, Forest will be confident of taking full advantage. Even with their first-choice frontmen potentially remaining out of the team, we expect the visitors to battle their way to all three points.



Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting a double chance bet on a home win or draw in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Home/Draw:data




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Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal28204470244664
2Liverpool28197265263964
3Manchester CityMan City28196363283563
4Aston Villa29175760421856
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs28165759421753
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd28152113939047
7West Ham UnitedWest Ham2912894650-444
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2811985044642
9Wolverhampton WanderersWolves28125114244-241
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle281241259481140
11Chelsea27116104745239
12Fulham29115134344-138
13Bournemouth2898114152-1135
14Crystal Palace2878133348-1529
15Brentford2975174154-1326
16Everton2887132939-1025
17Luton TownLuton2957174260-1822
18Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2967163551-1621
19Burnley2945202963-3417
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd2835202474-5014
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