Birmingham City face European footballing royalty on Friday evening at St Andrew's, when the Blues host Barcelona in a pre-season friendly that the Midlands side can get a result from.
Chris Davies' side are well into their pre-season preparations ahead of the new Championship campaign and will face a Barca side just beginning their return to action.
Hansi Flick’s team are yet to take to the field beyond a behind-closed-doors match as they prepare to defend their La Liga title and head to Birmingham without any of the Spanish World Cup-winning squad and many of their other international stars as they take an extended break.
Birmingham have played five, won five as they prepare for what they hope will be a promotion-chasing Championship campaign and given their superior match fitness, the Blues could take something from the mighty Barca in this clash.
Birmingham City v Barcelona Tips Summary
Best Bet - Double chance Birmingham or Draw @ 13/8
Alternative Bet - Over 3.5 goals @ 10/11
Bet Builder - Birmingham to win, Jay Stansfield to score anytime & Both teams to score @ 9/1
Birmingham City v Barcelona Prediction
Best Bet: Double chance Birmingham or Draw @ 13/8
City have played five pre-season matches, winning all of them and scoring 11 in the process, conceding just two in that run.
A visit from the Blaugrana is a different proposition altogether, but given that Barca will be without all of their Spanish World Cup stars and many of their other international players, the Blues are capable of taking something from this fixture.
Barcelona's reputation and squad quality make them favourites heading into this clash, but backing Birmingham to spring a surprise in the double chance market appeals given the young, inexperienced squad Flick will be bringing to St Andrew’s.
The Blues have sold out their home ground for what is sure to be a special occasion for the home side and, given their domestic campaign gets underway in just over a week, Davies' squad will be sure to want to impress the manager in this high-profile fixture and seal a spot in the starting XI ahead of the new season.
As a result, backing the Blues in the double chance market to spring a surprise against the Spanish champions appeals.
Alternative Bet: Over 3.5 goals @ 10/11
Birmingham have notched 11 goals in their five pre-season matches, while the Catalans ran out 4-1 winners in their behind-closed-doors friendly fixture, suggesting that even without their star players, goals are still on the cards for Flick’s team.
Given the nature of pre-season friendlies and the attacking nature of Flick's style of football, a high-scoring encounter is likely at St Andrew's.
Birmingham have increasingly found their stride in front of goal during pre-season with their last two matches seeing them score on three occasions each and could give some game time to new signing forward Luis Vazquez.
Four or more goals looks a solid option with two attacking teams taking to the field in this clash.
Birmingham City v Barcelona Bet Builder Tip
Birmingham City to win
Jay Stansfield to score anytime
Both teams to score
Pays 9/1
City are far further along in their preparations for the new campaign, with the Blues starting their domestic campaign off next weekend with a League Cup clash against Swansea City.
This high-profile friendly fixture will be played in front of a sellout crowd and is an opportunity to Davies' squad to prove to their manager why they deserve a spot in the starting XI next week.
Given their longer pre-season and the opportunity to make a mark against such prestigious opposition, Birmingham can record a surprise win in this clash.
Jay Stansfield was the Blues'joint top-scorer last season with 10 goals and will face competition for his spot in the team from new recruit Vazquez.
Stansfield is expected to start this clash and the extra pressure from the new man could provide the forward with extra motivation to get on the scoresheet and remind his manager exactly what he can offer.
Rounding off this three-fold is backing both teams to find the back of the net. Barca may be without many of their recognised star names, but Flick's team have incredible strength in attacking depth.
The German boss is well known for his front-foot attacking style no matter what XI he puts out, and Barca will be sure to play a high-pressing attacking game.
This usually results in Barca getting on the scoresheet, but does offer plenty of opportunities to get in behind their high line and allow opponents numerous sights of goal.
Chances are expected aplenty and backing both teams to get on the scoresheet appeals.
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Key Match Stats
Birmingham City have won all five of their pre-season friendly matches
The Blues have netted 11 goals in five matches
Both teams have scored in two of Birmingham's last four matches
Barcelona won their sole pre-season match to date 4-1
City and Barcelona last met in 1960 in the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup final
Both teams scored in 68% of Barcelona's away fixtures last season
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
