Birmingham City v Reading: Prediction, Tips and Odds

Birmingham City have been spraying the money as they chase an immediate return to the Championship and the well-backed Blues will be anticipating a strong start to the League One campaign against Reading.

Led by Chris Davies, the Blues have recruited exceptionally well and it will be a disappointment were they not to figure in the title reckoning despite the fact they inherit a rookie manager.

Last season was a bit of a disaster for Birmingham, who finished 22nd in the Championship despite taking eight points from their final four outings, but this represents a drop in grade and their squad depth is quite simply ridiculous for third-tier football.

Reading finished 17th last season but they would have finished 15th had it not been for their six-point deduction.

By the end of the season, the Royals had found their feet under Ruben Selles and lost only two of their final eight outings.

However, this looks like a tricky beginning against League One’s pre-season title favourites and business has been non-existent with no fresh faces coming through the door.

Birmingham City v Reading betting tips and predictions

Birmingham City to win & both teams to score - 12/5

Birmingham are 4/7 to get their campaign up-and-running with a home victory and it is easy to see why given their wealth of talent and the fact that the Royals haven’t strengthened their squad over the summer break.

The Blues have spent well in excess of £10 million, recruiting players from the Bundesliga and the Eredivisie, as well as last season’s top goalscorer from League One in Alfie May.

May netted 25 goals in 47 appearances for Charlton Athletic last season and he should have another fruitful campaign in a side expected to challenge for the season.

Birmingham have also recruited creative midfielder Marc Leonard, who was Northampton’s best player last season, while retaining the services of Siriki Dembele, Tyler Roberts and Lukas Jutkiewicz.

This is not a League One squad by any stretch of the imagination and promotion should be the bare minimum.

Adjusting to life in the third tier may not be imminent, though, and there are 46 games so taking time to settle is no bad thing.

But Birmingham, even under rookie boss Davies, should be able to claim three points in front of a packed-out St Andrew's and it may be an entertaining game.

The Royals pack a punch in the final third and have three genuine scoring threats in Sam Smith, Harvey Knibbs and Lewis Wing, all of whom reached double figures last season.

Reading scored in each of their final 20 games last season and they may be able to notch a consolation at Birmingham, who are unlikely to be at their best from the get go.

Siriki Dembele anytime goalscorer - 12/5

New signing May, following his 27-goal season with the Addicks, will be a popular pick in the goalscorer markets, but his team-mate Siriki Dembele could represent greater value.

When last in League One with Peterborough in 2020–21, Dembele netted 11 goals in 42 appearances and he has since played for Bournemouth in the Premier League and Auxerre in Ligue 1.

With the Blues last season tricky wideman Dembele scored six goals in 33 appearances and even with their influx of new signings, he is expected to be a mainstay in the team.

When fully wound-up, the 27-year-old is simply too good for this level and, with all attention on May, he may slip under the radar and inspire the Blues to an opening-weekend success.

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Birmingham City v Reading odds

Birmingham City - 4/7
Reading - 4/1
Draw - 16/5

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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.