Home comforts can help Birmingham to play-off success
Published:Birmingham have a one goal deficit to make up against Blackpool this Wednesday, attributed a 4/5 price to beat Ian Holloway’s men in 90 minutes.
In what was a tight affair on Friday, Blackpool emerged victorious via a narrow margin, as an own goal settled the tie to give the Seasiders a 1-0 win.
They are 11/4 for another success here, though the Blues’ superb home record makes them look better value, even at a much shorter price.
Chris Hughton’s side lost just one match from 23 on their own turf during the regular Championship season, and the 13 wins they picked up in that time lends weight to the claim that they are tremendous value at 4/5.
It is 23/10 about the draw meanwhile, which would see Blackpool advance to the Wembley final, and those who take note of the Tangerines’ eight draws on the road this term could back this outcome.
The home side’s tally of 12 clean sheets at St. Andrew’s is as impressive as anyone’s in the Championship meanwhile, so some punters may invest in 6/4 odds for them to keep a clean sheet.
Alternatively, the Blues can be backed to win to nil at odds of 9/4, which should see some interest in light of the stingy nature of their defence on their own patch.
Both sides come into this game on the back of impressive form, with Birmingham’s first leg loss their only defeat of the past 11 games, and Blackpool having won five of their last eight unbeaten matches.
Blues keeper Colin Doyle appears Hughton’s only fresh injury worry for the game, after colliding with a post when keeping out Ian Evatt’s header in Friday’s match.
Holloway should have a fully fit squad to select from for the visitors meanwhile, and could restore Kevin Phillips to his starting lineup to take on his former club.
