Birmingham vs Reading Prediction, Betting Tips and Preview

Birmingham City take on Reading in the Championship this Tuesday night. Read the match predictions to find out why a home win is the betting tip at St Andrews. The Blues lost 2-0 away to Norwich at the weekend while the Royals won 2-1 at home to Cardiff City.

Birmingham vs Reading Preview

Birmingham will use Lukas Jutkiewicz as the focal point of their attack with Clayton Donaldson and Greg Stewart still sidelined through injury. Rhoys Wiggins is also in the treatment room while Jacques Maghoma is on Africa Cup of Nations duty with DR Congo. Despite the result, Gianfranco Zola’s side created plenty of chances against Norwich, so no major changes are expected.

Reading have something of a defensive conundrum with both Joey Van den Berg and Tiago Ilori out injured. That could result in an unfamiliar back three of Tyler Blackett, Paul McShane and Liam Moore. The visitors’ options are further limited with winger Callum Harriott, midfielder Stephen Quinn and striker Deniss Rakels sidelined through injury.

Team Predictions Birmingham vs Reading

Birmingham 4-3-3 formation: Kuszczak; Grounds, Shotton, Morrison, Nsue; Gardner, Tesche, Davis; Adams, Jutkiewicz, Frei

Reading 3-5-2 formation: Al Habsi; Blackett, McShane, Moore; McCleary, Williams, Kelly, Swift, Gunter; Beerens, Kermorgant

Birmingham vs Reading Betting Tips

• Birmingham have won 1 drawn 4 and lost 5 of their last 10 matches
• Reading have won 6 drawn 4 and lost 0 of their last 10 matches
• Over the course of their previous 10 matches, Birmingham have scored an average of 0.9 goals and conceded an average of 1.6 goals per game
• Over the course of their previous 10 matches, Reading have scored an average of 1.6 goals and conceded an average of 1.7 goals per game
• There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 5 of Birmingham’s previous 10 matches
• There have been over 2.5 goals scored in 7 of Reading’s previous 10 matches

Birmingham vs Reading Prediction

Birmingham are still looking for that elusive first win under Gianfranco Zola who has now overseen nine games without success. The Blues crafted numerous opportunities against Norwich but were unable to find the net. Should they continue to create chances at the same rate, then the goals will surely come.

Reading have won -back-to-back home matches to recover from a blip and remain third in the table, though are 6 points behind Newcastle who have played a game less. It’s on the road that the Royals have struggled this season, particularly against top-half teams after defeats at Derby, Leeds and Fulham.

Birmingham’s luck has to change sooner or later and this could be the game. With Reading not traveling well and forced to reshuffle their defensive pack, the visitors could be vulnerable. The Blues are taken to win this match but it will be a closely fought contest.

Free Betting Tips

Match Prediction
BIRMINGHAM at 17/10 with William Hill

Over/Under Prediction
OVER 2.5 goals at Evs with Betfred

Correct Score Prediction
BIRMINGHAM 2-1 at 10/1 with BetVictor

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