With the Championship season in approaching its conclusion, Blackburn Rovers make a trip to the St Andrew’s Stadium to take on Birmingham City on Saturday, while both sides have already secured a place in the next campaign.
Having played 45 games so far, the hosts are currently sitting in 20th spot in the league standings on 47 points, 17 points ahead of bottom-placed Barnsley and six points above 21st-placed Reading, the first teams just outside the relegation zone.
Birmingham picked up a point in their last Championship match, playing out a 1-1 draw with Cardiff City at the Cardiff City Stadium, extending their winless streak to five matches, drawing two and lossing three.
Jeremie Bela opened the scoring for the visitors in the 22nd minute assisted by Bacuna and they held on in the entire first half and most part of the second period. Will Vaulks then found the back of the net for Cardiff from the penalty spot in the 82nd minute to ensure the sides shared the spoils of the evening.
At St Andrew’s Stadium this season, Birmingham have claimed seven wins, six draws and nine losses in 22 Championship contests. They have won one, drawn two and lost three of their last six league matches.
Meanwhile, Blackburn Rovers enter the contest off the back of a 3-0 defeat at Ewood Park in the hands of AFC Bournemouth on Saturday, extending their home winless run to three matches – one draw and two losses.
The previous Championship match between the teams saw Blackburn claim a 4-0 victory at Ewood Park in December, and the Rovers have got better of Birmingham of late, unbeaten in their last four Championship matches.
Tony Mowbray’s side have played away from home 22 times in the league this season, picking up 25 points from 66 available.
Birmingham City vs Blackburn Rovers head to head
The two teams have previously met on 93 occasions across all competitions, where Blackburn have claimed 36 victories while Birmingham have won 32, and they have drawn in 25. Blackburn have scored 167 goals and conceded 143. In their last five meetings, Birmingham have won once, Blackburn three with one draw.
Blackburn Rovers 1-1 Birmingham City 26/12/19
Birmingham City 2-1 Blackburn Rovers 04/01/20
Birmingham City 0-2 Blackburn Rovers 02/01/21
Blackburn Rovers 5-2 Birmingham City 08/05/21
Blackburn Rovers 4-0 Birmingham City 18/12/21
Birmingham City latest home form
Birmingham have recently failed to keep a good run of form at home, having won just one of their seven most recent matches. In their last home game, they played out a 2-2 draw with Millwall in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored five goals and conceded eight.
Birmingham City 0-0 Hull City 12/03/22
Birmingham City 0-2 Middlesbrough 15/03/22
Birmingham City 1-0 West Bromwich Albion 03/04/22
Birmingham City 2-4 Coventry City 15/04/22
Birmingham City 2-2 Millwall 23/04/22
Birmingham City latest away form
Birmingham have recently failed to keep a good run of form on the road, having been winless in their four most recent matches. Their last away victory came on March 5 when they defeated Bristol City 2-1. In their last five matches, they have scored four goals and conceded 10.
Bristol City 1-2 Birmingham City 05/03/22
Swansea City 0-0 Birmingham City 19/03/22
Nottingham Forest 2-0 Birmingham City 09/04/22
Blackpool 6-1 Birmingham City 18/04/22
Cardiff City 1-1 Birmingham City 30/04/22
Blackburn Rovers latest home form
Blackburn have recently failed to keep a good run of form at home, having won just one of their six most recent matches. In their last home game, the were defeated 3-0 to AFC Bournemouth in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored four goals and conceded seven.
Blackburn Rovers 0-1 Bristol City 12/03/22
Blackburn Rovers 3-1 Derby County 15/03/22
Blackburn Rovers 1-1 Blackpool 09/04/22
Blackburn Rovers 0-1 Stoke City 18/04/22
Blackburn Rovers 0-3 AFC Bournemouth 30/04/22
Blackburn Rovers latest away form
Blackburn won their last away game 4-1 against Preston North End in the league. However, they have recently been on a poor run of form on the road, as they have been winless in their previous nine matches. In their five matches, they have scored seven goals and conceded eight.
Fulham 2-0 Blackburn Rovers 05/03/22
Reading 1-0 Blackburn Rovers 19/03/22
Coventry City 2-2 Blackburn Rovers 02/04/22
Peterborough United 2-1 Blackburn Rovers 15/04/22
Preston North End 1-4 Blackburn Rovers 25/04/22
Birmingham City news
Midfielder Tahith Chong will be absent with a groin injury and Teden Mengi is sidelined with a hamstring injury and both are likely to retun early in May.
Goalkeeper Matija Sarkic is out for the season through a shoulder injury, while Adan George should return in mid May from his ACL injury.
Blackburn Rovers news
Barring any new injuries and suspension issues, Blackburn are likely to name an uncahnged XI from last time, with Reda Khadra being the only absentee with a hamstring injury.
Sam Gallagher should lead the line supported by Ryan Hedges, John Buckley and Ben Brereton Diaz in a likely 4-2-3-1 formation.
Prediction and Odds
With both sides having already secured their place in the Championship for next season, we are expecting an even game on Saturday.
Despite Birmingham failing to win in their last three meetings, both sides have recently not been on their best run in form. So we are expecting a draw.
Odds: 1 2.30 X 2.05 2 2.20
Probable outcomes
Birmingham City 0-0 Blackburn Rovers
Birmingham City 1-1 Blackburn Rovers
Birmingham City 2-2 Blackburn Rovers
Birmingham City 1-2 Blackburn Rovers
Birmingham City 1-0 Blackburn Rovers
