Birmingham City v Walsall: Prediction, Tips and Odds

Big-spending Birmingham City are among the early front runners in League One and they can make their extra class count against local rivals Walsall in their EFL Trophy Southern section, Group A contest at St Andrew's.

Last season’s relegation from the Championship already seems like a distant memory for Birmingham, who are third in League One with 10 points from their opening four matches.

Chris Davies’s side opened with a 1-1 draw at home to Reading, but they have won their last three league fixtures and will be keen to maintain the feelgood factor by making a successful start to their EFL Trophy campaign.

However, they will be respectful of Walsall, who climbed to second in League Two after Saturday’s 2-1 victory at home to Cheltenham.

The Blues are 2/5 to see off their lower division opponents, while Walsall are 19/4 to spring a surprise and 4/1 to dig out a draw.

Birmingham City v Walsall betting tips and predictions

Birmingham -1.5 on Asian handicap - 21/20

Birmingham have had to rely on fine margins in League One with single-goal successes in three of their four matches, but they can cut loose against League Two Walsall in their EFL Trophy Southern section, Group A clash.

The Blues’ squad depth should give them a decisive advantage over the Saddlers and enable them to prevail by at least a couple of goals, and deliver odds of 21/20 for -1.5 on the Asian Handicap.

Birmingham are without Bailey Peacock-Farrell, Luke Harris, Willum Willumsson, Alfons Sampsted and Lyndon Dykes, who have linked up with their national teams.

But their manager, Chris Davies, has plenty of alternative options, including deadline-day signing Jay Stansfield, who sealed a permanent move from Fulham, and other recent arrivals Tomoki Iwata and Ben Davies.

While Davies appears to be spoilt for choice, Walsall boss Mat Sadler has a trickier selection conundrum after weekend injuries to Oisin McEntee, Liam Gordon and Josh Gordon.

Sadler would love to send out a strong team against his former club but he must also consider Saturday’s fixture away to League Two promotion rivals MK Dons, which is of far greater importance.

A number of Saddlers youngsters and fringe players could get their chance and they could be dealt a harsh lesson by arguably the strongest team in the competition.

Jay Stansfield to score at any time - 6/5

Livewire striker Jay Stansfield will be eager to get going after returning to Birmingham on a permanent basis and he looks a solid 6/5 shot to score against Walsall.

Stansfield’s move from Fulham to Birmingham for a reported fee of £15million, plus a potential £5million in add-ons, was a jaw-dropping piece of business for a League One club.

However, the 21-year-old netted 12 goals during last season’s season-long loan at the Midlands club and should be even more productive in a lower grade.

Stansfield should cause plenty of problems for third-tier defences and he can expose what is likely to be an understrength Walsall rearguard.

Birmingham to keep a clean sheet - 5/4

Birmingham should score a few goals but they will be equally keen to register a first home clean sheet of the season.

The Blues are likely to be dominant in all areas and they should shut out the Saddlers, who were beaten 1-0 at Tranmere on their last road trip.

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Birmingham City v Walsall odds

Birmingham City - 2/5
Draw - 4/1
Walsall - 19/4

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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.