Recent history points to three or more goals in Burnley Blues battle

Each of the last eight meetings between Burnley and Birmingham City have contained a minimum of three goals, and three of the five most recent have exceeded that. Coral’s 14/5 price on the match total exceeding 3.5 could thus be well worth a look.

What this Saturday lunchtime offering from the Championship live on Sky Sports provides is the perfect platform for two young English coaches to take centre stage. Birmingham have fallen on hard times since their yo-yo days of bouncing between the Premier League and second tier, but ex-player Gary Rowett has steadied the ship.

You can say the same of Sean Dyche at Burnley. His Turf Moor team, odds-on 3/4 favourites to win, sell players who perform above themselves and reinvest in the stability of the club. It might mean the Clarets are not great shakes but, on those two occasions when they have graced the top flight they have immediately been relegated, they have remain financially secure.

If only West Midlands outfit Birmingham were not plagued by fiscal issues off the field, then they might muster up a play-off push. Rowett impressively steered themselves away from danger last term, but this is a stern test and reflected in the Blues’ odds of victory at 4/1. A draw is a 5/2 chance.

Carrying the visitors’ forward threat are Clayton Donaldson flanked by prized academy graduate Demarai Gray and summer acquisition Jacques Maghoma. Former Brentford forward Donaldson delivered last term, with his 15 league strikes helping to save Birmingham from the drop.

It’s 8/1 Donaldson strikes first, while young Gray is a tasty 10/3 anytime and DR Congo international winger Maghoma fabulous at 5/1 in that market.

Burnley could use Wales target man Sam Vokes, a real handful when the Clarets were last in the Championship, as an impact sub again after he rescued a late point for his team at Leeds United on the opening day. Vokes is a fabulous 5/1 to strike last again.

Midfielder Scott Arfield is given plenty of freedom to support the front two and, like Vokes, has scored against the Blues before. It’s 4/1 in the anytime market that the Scot can repeat.

Belgium international Jelle Vossen had an encouraging Burnley bow at Elland Road, and could well build on that by grabbing the opener at a nifty 9/2 here.

The Clarets look to have more firepower in their attack than the more mercurial talents that Blues boss Rowett is working with. A 3-1 win for the hosts comes in at a fine 14/1 price.

If punters want to better outright match betting, then Coral also offer enhanced odds for the respective teams to win but both to score. In this special market, Burnley are a superb 7/2 and Birmingham a nifty 9/1! Please note you can stake up to £20 on either of these outcomes.

Coral’s top tip: History says this shall be an open encounter, so take 14/5 for the match total to be over 3.5 goals.