Match Preview: Birmingham City vs Lincoln City (FA Cup Third Round)

Fixture: Birmingham City vs Lincoln City

Competition: FA Cup Third Round

Date: Saturday, 11 January 2025

Kick-Off: 12:00 GMT

Venue: St. Andrew’s Stadium, Birmingham

Birmingham City welcome Lincoln City to St. Andrew’s in the FA Cup Third Round. The hosts, led by Chris Davies, are in excellent form and sit atop League One, showcasing a well-organized defence and potent attack. Meanwhile, Michael Skubala’s Lincoln City face a tough challenge, having struggled in recent matches and needing an inspired performance to stand a chance against the in-form Blues.

With Birmingham unbeaten in their last 11 matches and Lincoln without a win in their last four, the home side are firm favourites in this encounter.

Birmingham City (Last 5 Matches):

• Wigan Athletic 0-3 Birmingham City
• Stockport County 1-1 Birmingham City
• Birmingham City 0-0 Blackpool
• Birmingham City 2-0 Burton Albion
• Crawley Town 0-1 Birmingham City

Goals Scored: 8

Goals Conceded: 1

Lincoln City (Last 5 Matches):

•  Lincoln City 0-0 Stevenage
• Lincoln City 0-1 Rotherham United
• Bolton Wanderers 3-0 Lincoln City
• Shrewsbury Town 1-0 Lincoln City
• Lincoln City 2-0 Reading

Goals Scored: 2

Goals Conceded: 5

Injuries: Lee Buchanan (Knee)

Key Players:

• Jay Stansfield: Top scorer with 12 goals this season, a constant threat in front of goal.
• Willum Þór Willumsson: Dynamic midfielder capable of creating and finishing chances.
• Ethan Laird: Full-back providing defensive solidity and attacking overlaps.

Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1):

• GK: Ryan Allsop
• DEF: Ethan Laird, Dion Sanderson, Christoph Klarer, Alexander Cochrane
• MID: Tomoki Iwata, Taylor Gardner-Hickman
• AM: Willum Þór Willumsson, Alfie May, Jay Stansfield
• FW: Lukas Jutkiewicz
  

Injuries: None reported.

Key Players:

• Bailey Cadamarteri: Leading the line, the young striker has the potential to surprise defences.
• Ethan Erhahon: Midfield anchor tasked with disrupting Birmingham’s fluid play.
• Sean Roughan: Dependable defender who needs to marshal Lincoln’s backline effectively.

Predicted Lineup (4-3-3):

• GK: George Wickens
• DEF: Tendayi Darikwa, Paudie O'Connor, Lewis Montsma, Sean Roughan
• MID: Ethan Erhahon, Tom Bayliss, Conor McGrandles
• FW: Reeco Hackett-Fairchild, Jovon Makama, Bailey Cadamarteri
  

Birmingham City

• Strengths: A balanced squad excelling in both attack and defence, with excellent home form. Their attacking transitions, led by Jay Stansfield and Alfie May, can overwhelm Lincoln’s defence.
• Weaknesses: Occasionally lack creativity against teams who defend deep.

Lincoln City

• Strengths: Discipline in midfield and reliance on counter-attacks.
• Weaknesses: Struggles in converting chances and maintaining defensive structure under sustained pressure.
  

Last Meeting: 19 October 2024: Lincoln City 1-3 Birmingham City (League One)

Goals: Anderson, Willumsson, Cochrane (Birmingham); Cadamarteri (Lincoln)

Overall Record:

• Birmingham Wins: 2
• Lincoln Wins: 0
• Draws: 0
  

Birmingham are likely to dominate possession, exploiting Lincoln’s defensive frailties. The visitors will aim to stay compact and hit on the counter, but their recent struggles in front of goal make this a tough assignment. Expect a strong showing from Birmingham’s attacking stars, with Stansfield and Willumsson leading the charge.

Birmingham City have kept clean sheets in their last four home matches, a testament to their defensive prowess under Chris Davies’ management. Lincoln, meanwhile, have failed to score in their last four games—a stark contrast that highlights the uphill battle they face.

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All odds and markets are correct as of the date of publication.