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‘The end of the road’ — Birmingham City v Blackpool prediction: The72
Birmingham City host Blackpool in the Championship on Saturday afternoon.
Birmingham City are one of only three sides in the division who have no mathematical chance of being promoted or relegated heading into the final three games of the season.
The Blues sit in 15th place at the moment after rising above Stoke City and Hull City in the week. John Eustace’s side picked up an impressive victory at Millwall, with Lukas Jutkiewicz netting the decisive goal in a 1-0 win.
As for Blackpool, their fate is all but sealed. The win over Wigan Athletic last weekend kept their faint hopes of survival alive but following a midweek defeat to West Brom, they look destined for a return to the third-tier.
The Tangerines sit in 23rd with three games left, six points away from safety.
Here, a handful of our writers make their predictions for the game… James Ray
“The Championship knows how to spring a surprise but when it comes to Blackpool, they’re too far gone now. Away to Birmingham City, I think this could be the end of the road for the Tangerines.
“Eustace’s side haven’t lost any of their last three at home and have still managed some decent results despite the fact that their Championship status is sealed.
“I can see them claiming a narrow in here, sending the visitors down in the process.”
Score prediction: Birmingham City 1-0 Blackpool
Luke Phelps
“Sorry to say, but I think Blackpool are done this season. It’s not been easy for them, and they’ve given it a good go in the latter part of this season, but it seems like too little too late for them.
“Birmingham City on the other hand are flying. There seems to be a really positive mood at the club right now and if they can creep up into 14th by the end of the season, it’ll mark a good first campaign for John Eustace.
“I fancy them to nick another win here — they’re in form and full of optimism right now, whereas Blackpool look destined for League One.”
+ Strengths + Aerial duels: Very Strong Shooting from direct free kicks: Strong Creating scoring chances: Strong
- Weaknesses - Keeping possession of the ball: Weak Defending counter attacks: Weak Avoiding fouling in dangerous areas: Weak Defending against through ball attacks: Weak
Birmingham's Style of Play Long balls Attempt crosses often Attempt through balls often Play with width Attack through the middle Attacking down the left Take a lot of shots Consistent first eleven
Learning to read clusters is not something your eyes do naturally. It takes constant practice.
Blackpool are back on the road in the Sky Bet Championship as they take on Birmingham City on Saturday.
The Seasiders are looking to boost their survival bid with a victory at St Andrews against a Blues side sitting in mid-table.
John Eustace's side currently sit in 15th place off the back of a win against Millwall at the Den last time out.
The Manager - John Eustace:
Eustace has had an impressive start to life as a Sky Bet Championship manager as he has stabilised Birmingham City into a safe mid-table position.
Previous experience in charge of Kidderminster Harriers between 2016 and 2018 was followed up by Assistant Manager roles with QPR and the Republic of Ireland. A highly-rated young coach, Eustace has followed up an established playing career with hopes of similar as a number one in the dugout.
One to Watch - Juninho Bacuna:
Two goals and six assists for Birmingham City for the Netherlands midfielder has seen him play a key role following his arrival from Rangers.
Previous Sky Bet Championship spells with Huddersfield Town and the Blues on loan make Bacuna a long established player at this level and someone who has a track record of causing team's problems.
The Referee - Keith Stroud:
Stroud has handed out 182 yellow cards in 35 games so far this campaign, with the vast majority in the Sky Bet Championship, with four red cards to boot.
The official last took charge of the Seasiders in the 3-3 draw away at Burnley where he sent off Sonny Carey and Ian Maatsen.
Team News:
James Husband and Keshi Anderson will continue to be assessed before Saturday following injury. Gary Madine and Jake Beesley have been ruled out for the remainder of the season.
Tickets:
Advanced tickets for Saturday's fixture at Birmingham go off sale at 4pm on Friday, though pay on the day is available at St Andrews (cash only). There are also places remaining on the supporters coach, which leaves Bloomfield Road at 10am.
Other ways to follow the action:
Match streaming passes are available to those outside the UK & Ireland with audio commentary passes available inside the UK & Ireland on Tangerine TV.
Blackpool picked up a vital three points on the road against Birmingham City at St Andrews.
Ian Poveda provided the all-important winner in the second half as the Seasiders looked to keep their survival efforts alive.
Birmingham asserted control early in the game causing issues from wide, particularly through Tahith Chong, with another inswinging cross causing problems for Dan Grimshaw.
That domination from the hosts continued, albeit Blackpool had a rare forward passage as Morgan Rogers weaved his way into a dangerous position before the ball was diverted for a corner. Moments later Josh Bowler tried to provide a moment of magic as he stood up his full back, dribbled past two Blues defenders and drilled an effort over the bar.
Birmingham's productivity from wide continued as Curtis Nelson's attempted clearance fell to the free head of Kevin Long at the back post but the defender couldn't convert.
Andy Lyons was booked for a late challenge on Tahith Chong as the first half came to a close, although the hosts threatened again with Jobe Bellingham arriving late at the back post to head narrowly wide.
HT: Birmingham City 0-0 Blackpool
Blackpool started the second half brightly, stringing together spells of possession before neat work from Sonny Carey allowed Morgan Rogers to get in behind the Birmingham defence but his ball across the face had no takers.
The Seasiders continued to cause problems but the Blues were closest to taking the lead in the opening ten minutes of the second half. Dan Grimshaw was forced into a double save before Jordan Thorniley's stretching leg on the line cleared the third effort in the move.
Ian Poveda took the place of Sonny Carey on the hour mark, slotting into the number ten role. Positive work from Morgan Rogers saw him hold up the ball and feed Josh Bowler before the ball was played dangerously into the penalty spot where Poveda's effort was blocked.
After a much improved second half a mix-up in the heart of the Birmingham defence allowed Morgan Rogers to take the ball from keeper Neil Etheridge and slide across to Ian Poveda who couldn't miss from yards out to give the Seasiders the lead in the 73rd minute.
Callum Connolly came on to replace Josh Bowler for the final 15 minutes of the game. Jordan Thorniley was forced off with eight minutes remaining being replaced by James Husband as Brad Holmes also came on in place of substitute Ian Poveda.
Brad Holmes looked to race through before the linesman flagged for offside to the bemusement of all with CJ Hamilton also going close to doubling the lead as the Seasiders held on for a key three points.
+ Strengths + Created a high number of chances relative to their possession
- Weaknesses - Were poor at finishing Gave away a lot of free-kicks around the box Commited a high number of individual errors
Styles Had a large quantity of possession in their opponent's half Had a high shot frequency when in possession Favoured crossing the ball Favoured through balls
Blackpool
+ Strengths + Were effective at creating goalscoring opportunities through individual skill
- Weaknesses - Were caught offside often Commited a high number of individual errors
Styles Attacked down the left side Favoured long balls
Home TeamBirminghamAway TeamBlackpool
Possession Birmingham 50% Blackpool 50%
Shots Birmingham 16 Blackpool 12
Shots on Target Birmingham 7 Blackpool 2
Corners Birmingham 6 Blackpool 7
Fouls Birmingham 15 Blackpool 13
[Post edited 22 Apr 2023 17:18]
Learning to read clusters is not something your eyes do naturally. It takes constant practice.
Blues were beaten by Blackpool in the Sky Bet Championship on Saturday afternoon.
Ian Poveda's second-half goal separated the sides at St. Andrew's in what was Birmingham City's penultimate home fixture.
TEAM NEWS:
John Eustace made four changes to the side that started the win at Millwall. Neil Etheridge replaced the injured John Ruddy between the sticks and Auston Trusty recovered from illness as George Friend missed out. Then, in midfield, Jordan James and Hannibal, who featured during the second-half at The Den, came in for substitute Juninho Bacuna and absentee Reda Khadra.
MAIN EVENT:
Blues did not give Blackpool as much as a sniff in the opening exchanges and were, instead, peppering the visitor's box, looking to profit from a nervy backline. This almost came to fruition after five minutes when Tahith Chong, aiming for the far corner, saw his low effort deflected into Daniel Grimshaw's path only to be fumbled and then scooped off the line by a relieved goalkeeper under pressure from Lukas Jutkiewicz.
This pattern would continue, albeit without the emergence of any further clear-cut chances until shortly after the half-hour mark. Hannibal's corner from the left was in fact glanced on by a Tangerine shirt, but when such a diversion reached Kevin Long at the far post, he could only reflex a header over.
Stephen Dobbie's side would improve as the half wore on and looked most dangerous with the game approaching its interval. However, when an inviting cross appeared threatening, James bravely and under pressure headed the ball clear.
HALF-TIME: Blues 0-0 Blackpool
The Seasiders had a greater purpose following the restart, finding more gears to their attacking efforts and went close when Arsenal youngster Charlie Patino hit a bouncing ball off target.
Although it was the hosts who would have the best chance of the game so far after 57 minutes. Hannibal's initial effort after shifting inside could not be held and when Lukas Jutkiewicz swept the follow-up across goal, Chong's rebound was impressively smothered before the final bite of the cherry saw another Hannibal attempt, this time from close range, denied by a last-ditch block.
Moments of promise continued for Blues and Jobe Bellingham was not far away when he shot from distance as his influence grew, and Chong's low free kick was well held by an eagle-eyed Grimshaw.
Then, against the recent run of play, Blackpool capitalised on a mistake at the back to score. Kevin Long's uncharacteristically loose touch left Etheridge stranded and Morgan Rogers' quick thinking bypassed the 'keeper to give substitute Poveda an open goal from eight yards out.
Eustace responded by introducing Troy Deeney for his first pitch time since mid-February as part of a triple change. And another of these fresh faces, Emmanuel Longelo, made impressive progress down the left, but his final delivery was a touch overcooked for anybody in blue.
Pushing for an equaliser into added time, Trusty watched a shot deflected behind and from the resulting corner, the towering Marc Roberts headed the match's final chance wide at the far post.
KEY MOMENT:
Poveda's 74th-minute goal was the difference as Blues suffered a first home defeat since February.
FINAL OUTCOME:
Blues end the day in 17th position on 53 points, having played 44 Championship games.
MATCH DETAILS:
Blues (4-2-3-1): Neil Etheridge, Maxime Colin, Marc Roberts, Kevin Long, Auston Trusty, Krystian Bielik (Alfie Chang 83), Jordan James (Emmanuel Longelo 78), Tahith Chong (Jordan Graham, 78), Jobe Bellingham (Troy Deeney 78), Hannibal (Juninho Bacuna 65), Lukas Jutkiewicz (Captain).
Substitutes not used: Zach Jeacock, Harlee Dean.
Bookings: None.
Blackpool (4-2-3-1): Daniel Grimshaw, Jordan Gabriel, Curtis Nelson (captain), Jordan Thorniley (James Husband 84), Andy Lyons, Lewis Fiorini, Charlie Patino, Josh Bowler (Callum Connolly 76), Sonny Carey (Ian Poveda 62 (Brad Holmes 84)), CJ Hamilton, Morgan Rogers.
Substitutes not used: Chris Maxwell, Rob Apter, Tom Trybull.
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