Newcastle vs Birmingham Predictions, Betting Tips and Match Previews

Newcastle come into this game following three really poor results. Back-to-back league defeats and an EFL Cup exit at Hull have come at a time when it looked like they were going to walk away with this division. They are still in a very strong position though and an 8 day break ahead of this game may have done them some good as they look to refocus and get back to winning ways here.

The Magpies have won 68% of their games in the Championship this term so the games they have lost haven’t been massively damaging. They average 1.95 goals per game, the best record in the division and more than 2 at home, although they have been conceding a few goals at St James’ Park. Both teams have scored in 56% of their home games with over 2.5 goals in 67% of them, so normally the home fans are treated to plenty of goals with the hosts scoring the majority.

Birmingham can be difficult opponents but come into the match after their worst result of the season, a 3-0 home loss to Barnsley. Their recent away performances have been a bit of a mixed bag but they’ve done okay on the road overall and both teams have scored in 67% of their away games, so certainly the stats here seem to suggest that there will be goals at both ends in this one.

Overall though, Newcastle should have far more cutting edge in front of goal and even if they aren’t quite at their best, they should have enough to edge it. Dwight Gayle’s pace should cause the visiting defence plenty of problems and the Championship’s top scorer looks a good bet to score anytime here.  They’ve already had a few wobbles this season and they’ve generally responded well to them by putting a solid winning run together so we probably shouldn’t read too much into their recent slip-ups, particularly their loss at Nottingham Forest last time out when they were reduced to 9 men in the first half.

Birmingham are capable of making a game of it and have scored at least once in 78% of their Championship away games this season so they should still travel North with some hope. However, Newcastle’s class should shine through and, therefore, backing Newcastle to win & over 2.5 goals at 6/5 looks like it offers value here.