Birmingham and Newcastle go head-to-head in the only midweek Premier League game and goals will be at a premium at St Andrew’s (8/13 under 2.5 goals) on Tuesday night.
Both teams have largely struggled in front of goal in recent weeks and it looks like defences will be on top when the Blues and Magpies collide (Birmingham 7/5, Draw 11/5, Newcastle 9/5 – Match Betting).
The home team will undoubtedly have their minds on other things, with the Carling Cup final against Arsenal just over a week away. Saturday’s win over Stoke was a massive result in the battle to avoid the drop and Alex McLeish is likely to call on his players not to lose the game.
Blues are now three points outside the drop zone but goals continue to be an issue for McLeish, with Birmingham scoring the fewest goals of any team in the Premier League to date – 25.
Nikola Zigic (6/1 to be first goal scorer) has scored their last three goals from open play and he will again be their main threat, although the big Serb turns hot and cold like a tap, while regular strike partner Cameron Jerome has not scored in the league since early November.
Having started against Stoke, Obafemi Martins (11/8 to score on Tuesday) is set to keep his place in the starting line-up ahead of Jerome for the visit of his former club.
Despite being without Scott Dann through injury, McLeish’s outfit remain a tough nut to crack and have won four of their last five matches in all competitions and have been unbeaten during that period.
Meanwhile, Newcastle (10/1 to be relegated) are up to tenth having lost just one of their last seven Premier League games and look on course to keep their place in the top flight this season.
Despite their lack of striking options since the departure of Andy Carroll to Liverpool and Shola Ameobi’s latest injury, the Magpies have managed to pick up crucial points in recent weeks to aid their survival hopes.
Aside from a freaky 4-4 draw with Arsenal though, the Toon have scored just two goals in four of their last five league matches and will struggle to break down a stubborn Blues defence.
On-loan Aston Villa midfielder Stephen Ireland remains doubtful for Newcastle as he struggles to overcome a hamstring injury, but Shefki Kuqi could feature again after being signed as a free agent last week.
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