Big Match Breakdown: Birmingham v Swansea
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Odds, tips and preview for the Championship clash
Swansea City will be looking to continue their good start to the season when they travel to Birmingham City tonight.
Graham Potter’s side are sitting in fourth after winning both of their games so far this term. Birmingham started with a draw against Norwich City, but they’re currently 19th following their loss to Middlesbrough. They were also dumped out of the Carabao Cup by Reading in midweek.
You can catch the action live from 7:45pm on Sky Sports Football. Ahead of the Friday night football, the Coral News Team have all the info…
Head-to-Head
These two sides haven’t met in league action for a decade. Their only meetings during that time came in 2013/14, when they were drawn against each other in both domestic cup competitions.
Birmingham won 3-1 at home in the League Cup. Swansea secured a 2-1 away win in the FA Cup.
Likely XIs
Garry Monk is set to bring Jota, Che Adams and Jacques Maghoma back into the side after resting them against Reading. He’ll have to make do without Craig Gardner after the midfielder’s red card last weekend.
The Swans will be without first-choice goalkeeper Kristoffer Nordfeldt. Erwin Mulder will wear the gloves instead. Leroy Fer is pushing for a start after returning to action against Preston North End, but the club captain may have to bide his time.
Key Battles
Oli McBurnie could have some joy here. Birmingham’s defence hasn’t looked very solid, which means the Swansea striker should get chances to add to his tally.
Without Gardner and the departed Cheikh Ndoye, the Blues midfield could struggle to get a foothold too.
But Swansea’s unfamiliar backline could be exposed if they come under pressure. After losing Alfie Mawson and Federico Fernandez, 20-year-old Joe Roden should make his second appearance for the club in central defence.
Match Odds
Swansea are 7/5 favourites here, with Birmingham slightly further out at 2/1. It’s 21/10 for the draw.
These two sides have only kept one clean sheet between them in league action so far this season. Both Teams to Score is 20/23 and a 2-1 Swansea win is 17/2.
Birmingham will be looking to Adams and Lukas Jutkiewicz to get the goals. They’re both 13/2 to score First and 5/2 to hit the back of the net Anytime.
Click here for all of Coral’s Birmingham v Swansea odds.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
