Birmingham 9/2 to win McLeish’s biggest career game
Published:Despite having previously managed in numerous Old Firm derbies and been the boss of the Scotland national team, Alex McLeish has labelled Birmingham’s final game of the Premier League season as the biggest of his career.
Birmingham currently sit one place outside of the relegation places, but are in the unusual position of knowing that a win does not guarantee their safety in the Premier League because of the tightness at the foot of the table in terms of goal difference.
A victory at Tottenham should be enough to avoid relegation for Birmingham as it appears unlikely that both Blackpool and Wigan also win their final-day fixtures.
It is 9/2 in the Premier League odds that Birmingham beat Tottenham, and McLeish is of the opinion that the current Carling Cup holders will secure a result that will see them survive.
He said: “I believe we will stay up. We have to try and play to the strengths the players possess. We know opening up against a Spurs team could be deadly.
“We’ve got our own strategy and we have to try and be good on the day to get a positive result at White Hart Lane.
“But I do know [Sunday’s game] is probably the biggest of my career. It is certainly the biggest of my managerial career – so bring it on.”
Birmingham’s odds are 8/13 to be relegated and if they are to avoid the drop then they may to improve defensively on three counts.
Firstly, they have been shipping goals for fun of late on the road as they have conceded 19 goals in their last eight Premier League away games.
Furthermore, they have only kept one clean sheet in their last 13 top-flight meetings with Spurs, while they have never shut out the opposition on the final day of a Premier League season.
A £30 stake on Birmingham beating Spurs 1-0 would return £360. New customers can sign up here for a free £30 bet.
