Leicester v Birmingham: Faltering Foxes must be opposed

12Apr 2013

England - The Championship

Leicester have won just once in their last 12 games and have to be opposed at a short price against an improving Blues side, says Andy Tongue

Leicester v Birmingham

Friday April 12

Kick-off: 19:45

TV: Live on Sky Sports 2

Leicester

Once again Leicester are chosen for live Championship coverage (Sky haven't yet answered my e-mail as to whether their Head of Football hails from the city) but they have made for painful viewing for their fans in recent weeks. However, a win here would see them leapfrog their principal rivals in the race for the playoff spots (Brighton and Nottingham Forest) and move back into fifth place. That's a bigger ask than it appears at first given the last time Nigel Pearson saw his side win was over hapless Blackburn back on February 26-their only win since the last day of January. There's no way they can backed with any confidence on recent form although an admittedly improved performance in the draw at Brighton last Saturday may have restored some belief to the side.

Birmingham

Lee Clark's side are still not mathematically safe despite now having 53 points following an impressive recent run, which includes the resounding 4-0 win at Crystal Palace on Good Friday as well as victories over Middlesbrough and Derby. They are playing with a relaxed abandon of a side far more at ease in itself than earlier in the season which spells danger for the home side in this clash. They should have won again at home to Millwall last week but gave away a late equaliser and will be keen to make amends for that here.

Match Odds

Amazingly despite their recent run (they sit 21st in the current form table, level with hapless Blackburn), Leicester are as low as 1.74 here. I was expecting them to be priced around 1.9 and would have recommended a lay bet at that price so I'm delighted to be able to take them on that much shorter.

Both Teams to Score

Birmingham haven't failed to find the net in an away game since December 8, a run of of ten matches on the road in which they have scored, while Leicester simply have to go for it in this match. That makes both teams to score a cracking bet at 1.92.

Best Bet

Lay Leicester at 1.74

Other Bet

Back both teams to score at 1.92