Birmingham City are hoping to maintain their hold on top spot in League One when they visit Stockport County on New Year’s Day, but it may be a tough ask against the improving hosts.
The Hatters have won four straight home matches in the third tier, climbing to fifth in the table as a result, but another three points could be hard to come by against a Blues outfit unbeaten in seven.
Birmingham City to win - 23/20
Birmingham City were held to a goalless draw at home to Blackpool last time out, but they should be able to start the new year in flying fashion when they visit Edgeley Park on New Year’s Day.
The Blues, who were ante-post favourites for the League One title, sit a point clear at the top of the table with two games in hand, and their draw against Blackpool ended a run of six successive victories.
They have only conceded one goal in that period, earning them the joint-best defensive record in the division, so they may be able to keep Stockport quiet on Wednesday.
Admittedly, the Hatters have been excellent at home over the past couple of months, but morale may have dipped for the fifth-placed side after winning just one of their last four overall.
This includes defeats to Stevenage and Huddersfield and, after suffering a 2-0 loss away to Birmingham under a month ago, they may go into Wednesday’s clash with a defeatist attitude.
Under 2.5 goals - 17/20
Birmingham’s fantastic defence, coupled with an efficient rather than outstanding attack, has resulted in plenty of low-scoring games this season, and that is expected again on Wednesday.
Only one of their last seven League One assignments has featured more than two goals, with an average of just 1.71 goals per game during this period, and their hosts have not exactly been free-scoring recently, either.
Just three goals have been scored across Stockport’s last two games and under 2.5 goals has been a winner in four of their last six matches, including their 2-0 reverse away to Birmingham at the start of December.
Jay Stansfield to score anytime - 7/4
Only one player, Louie Barry, has scored more League One goals this season than Birmingham’s £15-million man Jay Stansfield, and he could make the difference again at Stockport.
The 22-year-old has amassed 12 league goals despite starting just 14 games, averaging a goal every 102 minutes and improving to a goal every 98 minutes when playing away from home.
He started on the bench in the Blues’ draw against Blackpool last time out, but he is fully expected to return to the starting lineup on Wednesday and his record when starting is sensational.
The former Fulham attacker has scored eight goals in his last eight starts, only failing to find the net in one of those fixtures and scoring five in four away games in this run.
His sole blank in this run did come against Stockport last month, but expect the away side’s star man to make amends this time around.
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Stockport County to win - 11/5
Draw - 12/5
Birmingham City to win - 23/20
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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.