West Brom v Birmingham predictions: Blues can make life tough for Baggies

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for West Brom v Birmingham in the Championship on Friday.

Where to watch

Sky Sports Main Event & Football, 8pm Friday

Best bet

Draw
1pt 16-5 bet365

Team news

West Brom
Alex Mowatt is a doubt after being forced off in the 1-0 loss at Stoke but Matt Clarke is available.

Birmingham
Gary Gardner is available after serving a three-match suspension.

Match preview

The Championship promotion race looks a more open affair after market leaders West Brom and Fulham were defeated before the international break and there may be a surprise on the cards at the Hawthorns, where Birmingham can restrict Albion to a share of the spoils.

West Brom have had two weeks to get over their 1-0 loss at Stoke and are odds-on to respond with a victory.

However, the break has also offered welcome respite for Birmingham, who have taken one point from the last five matches.

Birmingham are used to second tier-struggles having finished in the bottom eight for five consecutive seasons. But they have hopes of a brighter future under Lee Bowyer, who steered them to three wins and two draws in their opening six league fixtures.

Bowyer is anxious for his team to stop their slump and a local derby could be just the thing to spark his players back to life.

Just a month ago Bowyer was a happy man with his team seventh in the table, and the positive vibe among supporters had been supercharged by the high-profile signing of Troy Deeney from Watford.

Poor results have put a dampener on things but Birmingham's squad looks stronger than last term and should be capable of pushing towards the top half.

The Blues have put in some big away performances, winning at Sheffield United and Luton, and can cause problems for a West Brom side struggling for consistency.

Albion's last six games have included three draws - two of them on home soil - and another stalemate looks a strong possibility.

Key stat

West Brom have drawn two of their last three home fixtures.

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