Sept 16th
Birmingham v Aston Villa
-------------------------------
Birmingham to win at $2.50
I'm not a huge soccer better........but this seems like great value!
I put some cash on it...........let's see what happens
Birmingham may only have five points from their first five games, but it's hard not to have been impressed with the way they have started their first season back in the top-flight.
An opening day 2-0 defeat away at the champions Arsenal was far from a disgrace, and they were unlucky to lose 1-0 at home to Blackburn when they spurned numerous chances.
However, since then they have gone on a three-match unbeaten run to suggest they will surprise a few people this season.
A 1-1 draw at Everton should have been a 1-0 win but for conceding a late David Unsworth equaliser with all but the last kick of the game.
However, Steve Bruce's men did not feel sorry for themselves and bounced back to beat Leeds 2-1 at St Andrews.
With confidence high after that result they then faced a daunting trip to Liverpool and after going 2-0 down not many people would have expected them to leave Anfield with anything.
However, Clinton Morrison had obviously not read the same script and scored twice to give Birmingham a 2-2 draw.
That result emphasised the fighting spirit in the Birmingham camp and with the likes of Robbie Savage, Aliou Cisse and Martin Grainger in their team, opponents will know they have been in a game.
And on Monday Bruce's troops will be fired up to get one over on their most bitter rivals.
For over a decade Birmingham fans have been on the receiving end of abuse from Villa fans, but on Monday night it's the blue half of the city that can be the ones telling the jokes come Tuesday morning.
Like down the road at West Brom the fans at St Andrews have been like a 12th man when Blues have played at home this season and the atmosphere against Leeds was fantastic.
On Monday expect the volume to be even louder as the Blues fans get behind their team for their most eagerly awaited game of the season.
Like in most derby games passion and commitment will be the order of the day and Blues will not let Villa settle for a minute.
They will play the game at a high tempo and will be well aware of the importance of scoring an early goal.
Stern John and Morisson seem to be gelling as a front partnership, while Kenny Cunningham's experience at the back has been crucial in establishing their three match unbeaten run.
Villa have made a sluggish start to the season, losing three of their first five matches.
On the road they have lost both league games, failing to score in 1-0 defeats at Bolton and Tottenham.
Graham Taylor made sweeping changes to his side for the midweek win over Charlton, but the general feeling is that all is not well at Villa Park.
The fans are already becoming restless as to where Taylor is taking the team and with key players such as Alpay and Juan Pablo Angel wanting out, Villa seem to be going nowhere at the moment.
This is obviously music to the ears of Birmingham fans who know their side have a great chance of doing the business on Monday.
At $2.50, Birmingham look a cracking bet to claim the points, a result that would increase the pressure on Taylor who at the moment does not seem to know what his best side or formation is.
With confidence high in the Birmingham camp and home advantage a crucial factor this price looks a little big in what should be an entertaining game.
Birmingham v Aston Villa
-------------------------------
Birmingham to win at $2.50
I'm not a huge soccer better........but this seems like great value!
I put some cash on it...........let's see what happens
Birmingham may only have five points from their first five games, but it's hard not to have been impressed with the way they have started their first season back in the top-flight.
An opening day 2-0 defeat away at the champions Arsenal was far from a disgrace, and they were unlucky to lose 1-0 at home to Blackburn when they spurned numerous chances.
However, since then they have gone on a three-match unbeaten run to suggest they will surprise a few people this season.
A 1-1 draw at Everton should have been a 1-0 win but for conceding a late David Unsworth equaliser with all but the last kick of the game.
However, Steve Bruce's men did not feel sorry for themselves and bounced back to beat Leeds 2-1 at St Andrews.
With confidence high after that result they then faced a daunting trip to Liverpool and after going 2-0 down not many people would have expected them to leave Anfield with anything.
However, Clinton Morrison had obviously not read the same script and scored twice to give Birmingham a 2-2 draw.
That result emphasised the fighting spirit in the Birmingham camp and with the likes of Robbie Savage, Aliou Cisse and Martin Grainger in their team, opponents will know they have been in a game.
And on Monday Bruce's troops will be fired up to get one over on their most bitter rivals.
For over a decade Birmingham fans have been on the receiving end of abuse from Villa fans, but on Monday night it's the blue half of the city that can be the ones telling the jokes come Tuesday morning.
Like down the road at West Brom the fans at St Andrews have been like a 12th man when Blues have played at home this season and the atmosphere against Leeds was fantastic.
On Monday expect the volume to be even louder as the Blues fans get behind their team for their most eagerly awaited game of the season.
Like in most derby games passion and commitment will be the order of the day and Blues will not let Villa settle for a minute.
They will play the game at a high tempo and will be well aware of the importance of scoring an early goal.
Stern John and Morisson seem to be gelling as a front partnership, while Kenny Cunningham's experience at the back has been crucial in establishing their three match unbeaten run.
Villa have made a sluggish start to the season, losing three of their first five matches.
On the road they have lost both league games, failing to score in 1-0 defeats at Bolton and Tottenham.
Graham Taylor made sweeping changes to his side for the midweek win over Charlton, but the general feeling is that all is not well at Villa Park.
The fans are already becoming restless as to where Taylor is taking the team and with key players such as Alpay and Juan Pablo Angel wanting out, Villa seem to be going nowhere at the moment.
This is obviously music to the ears of Birmingham fans who know their side have a great chance of doing the business on Monday.
At $2.50, Birmingham look a cracking bet to claim the points, a result that would increase the pressure on Taylor who at the moment does not seem to know what his best side or formation is.
With confidence high in the Birmingham camp and home advantage a crucial factor this price looks a little big in what should be an entertaining game.
