Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the Championship match.
The next round of the Championship opens with a clash between two clubs who both have genuine ambitions of reaching the Premier League. And yes, that includes newly promoted Birmingham as well as Leicester City.
Leicester City
Leicester City find themselves below their upcoming opponents in the early standings, having already slipped up. That defeat came away at Preston North End (1:2). In their other two fixtures, however, they collected maximum points, including a clean sheet against Charlton Athletic (1:0). Leicester average just over a goal per game (1.3), but it is the defensive unit that has been earning the plaudits. Up front, signs of a new generation are beginning to emerge. Sixteen-year-old Jeremy Monga came off the bench to score Leicester’s only goal against Preston, showing composure with a clever finish inside the near post.
Birmingham City
Birmingham look capable of challenging for promotion. If not through the automatic places, then certainly via the play-offs. The reasoning goes beyond a squad valued at around €100m — the eighth most expensive in the league. They play with clear intent, pressing high and asking questions of their opponents. That was evident away to Blackburn Rovers (2:1), where Birmingham enjoyed 59% possession and turned the game around in the final 10 minutes to claim a dramatic comeback victory.
Leicester City vs Birmingham City Prediction
Leicester have already shown they can be beaten — Preston proved as much. Birmingham are far stronger than that level of opponent, and with the form and purpose they’ve shown, there’s every chance they take something from the King Power Stadium.
