On Wednesday night, league-leading Burnley will travel to Birmingham City in search of their 12th straight win. Even though Birmingham is currently on a winning streak, facing Vincent Kompany’s team might prove to be their toughest test of the season.
Our Match Preview: Birmingham City vs Burnley
Since Tahith Chong and Krystian Bielik joined the squad for John Eustace’s side in their early September Road match against Preston North End, the team has undergone a radical makeover.
After accumulating only five points during their first seven games of the Championship season, the Blues have won seven straights to get into the playoff picture.
A well-regularized defense that has only surrendered 12 goals in 14 matches has been essential to such a reversal in fortunes, along with the inventiveness and grit of Chong and Bielek.
At the MKM Stadium, a resurgent Birmingham FC defeated Hull City with goals from Troy Deeney (penalty) and Juninho Bacuna (thunderbolt).
The demoralized Tigers will have a new challenge when they host the league leaders on Wednesday night, but if they can pull off an upset, the fans in the Second City could start to hope for more than just a mid-table finish.
Burnley, who were demoted to the Premier League last season, want to quickly return to the topflight under Vincent Kompany’s leadership.
So far, the ex-Manchester City defender’s attempt at reinvention has paid off, with the Clarets not only leading the Championship in points after 14 games (12.5), but also possession.
The team from Lancashire has only lost once this season and has the joint-best offensive record in the league with 24 goals scored, matching Sheffield United.
The return of Jay Rodriguez, a 33-year-old striker who scored 22 goals for West Bromwich Albion in the 2018-19 Championship season, has been a boon to the Baggies’ fortunes. Rodriguez has scored seven goals in 12 games this season.
On-loan Chelsea defender Ian Maatsen has been instrumental in the team’s playmaking with four assists, and the Dutchman has made the transition from last season’s stint with Coventry City to this year’s automatic promotion drive with great success.
Our Team News: Birmingham City vs Burnley
Veteran defender George Friend is close to rejoining Birmingham’s first squad after missing the whole season with a hamstring injury.
The former Middlesbrough player has begun practicing with the squad and will play for the Blues Under-21s as he prepares for participation in the Championship.
After sitting out one game for receiving five yellow cards against Hull, Dion Sanderson is expected to return to the starting lineup alongside Harlee Dean and Auston Trusty.
Although Nico Gordon has returned to first-team training after missing the better part of six months due to an injury, Gary Gardner, Marc Roberts, and Przemyslaw Placheta are still on the sidelines.
Scott Twine and Darko Churlinov will not be available for Burnley on Wednesday night, thus Josh Brownhill will keep starting in the attacking midfield position just behind Rodriguez.
Young wingers Nathan Tella and Anass Zaroury pose a huge danger for City, and Kompany is expected to play the same XI that annihilated Swansea City at Turf Moor last time out.
- Birmingham City possible starting lineup: Ruddy; Sanderson, Dean, Trusty, Colin, Bielik, Hannibal, Bacuna, Longelo, Chong, Hogan.
- Burnley possible starting lineup: Muric, Vitinho, Harwood-Bellis, Beyer, Maatsen, Cullen, Cork, Tella, Brownhill, Zaroury, Rodriguez.
Our Prediction: Birmingham City 1-1 Burnley
Even though Burnley is red hot right now, they will not be able to break down Birmingham as easy as they did Swansea on Saturday afternoon.
Eustace’s squad has performed well against the Championship’s elite, making a matchup with the Clarets under the lights something the Blues eagerly anticipate.
