Birmingham Bragging Rights on the Line - Betting News with Betfred

versus

It is the battle of the second city on Sunday and the blue half of Birmingham are now looking to get one over on their old rivals after living in the shadows of claret for too long now.

Both of the teams currently sit mid-table in the Premier League, separated by two places and one point, and both go into the game having scraped through in the Carling Cup in midweek - although admittedly Birmingham did need penalties to beat a struggling League One side.

Aston Villa did a 1-0 double over Birmingham City last season, and in fact you have to go back to March 2005 for the last time the blue half of the city held the bragging rights. Bearing that in mind it is no surprise the football betting makes Villa 5/6 to win on Sunday and heap more misery on their rivals.

Indeed for many years Villa have held the mantle of the major team in the second city, but could this be the year Alex McLeish's side topple their more illustrious rivals despite being outsiders at 4/1 to win at Villa Park?

One man looking forward immensely to the derby is Birmingham striker Nikola Zigic, and the beanpole Serb, who is priced at 15/2 to score the first goal, has set his sights on being a hero at Villa Park on Sunday.

"I am aware I could become an instant hero. Of course I am. It's like every derby the world over," he said.

"If you do score, especially a winner, you are a hero for life. It is something I am well aware of."

One man who already has a reputation for scoring in derby games is Kevin Phillips, and he is looking to play some part after making his comeback from injury. He played the full 120 minutes in the Carling Cup run and is eyeing up a goal on Sunday if he gets the opportunity. The veteran is 5/2 with Betfred to find the back of the net at some stage - an attractive price for people looking to have a bet on a Premier League game this weekend.

My Tip of the Weekend:

Aston Villa look to hold the upper hand once again, but they face a tough battle, so I fancy the 10/3 double result: Draw at half-time, Villa at full-time.
Also the 2/1 for the in-form Nikol Zigic to score at anytime looks tempting.

Sunday 31st October: Aston Villa v Birmingham City, kick-off at Noon.

By Drew Swainston
(Guest writer from Betfred on behalf of Beer Footy and Birds!)

Can The City Top Four Machine Keep On Rolling - Betting News with Betfred

VERSUS

Manchester City put themselves in pole position for Champions League qualification last weekend and need to continue that form this weekend when they face Birmingham City.

Last Saturday's demolition of Burnley, coupled with Spurs' loss to Sunderland, mean City now occupy fourth spot with six games to go, and have a one-point lead over their North London rivals.

Roberto Mancini's side do not have an easy task this weekend when they face ninth-place Birmingham City, who are a much improved side, but are not well-fancied to spring a surprise. Alex McLeish's men can be backed at odds of 7/1 to take all three points. The draw is available at 7/2 with Betfred.

The Italian manager has called on his players to continue their top form over the coming weeks to ensure they finish in the Premier League top four at the end of the season, and City are now favourites at 5/6 in the football betting to bag the last Champions League place.

"It's more important that we finish well this season, and we must concentrate 100 per cent to get fourth place because we have six games that are very difficult," Mancini said.

Those last six matches for Manchester City include a local derby with Manchester United, a trip to third-placed Arsenal, and games against Aston Villa and Spurs at Eastlands - so it looks like a very tough run-in.

One City player who won't be available for the next month or so is Joleon Lescott, who has a hamstring injury and could be out of action until May as a result. The lay-off could hamper his chances of appearing in the 2010 Football World Cup .


My Tip Of The Weekend:
City are on fire going forward, as shown by the 6-1 thrashing of Burnley last week, and with home advantage as well, my tip is a comfortable 3-0 win to Mancini's men which can be backed @ 8/1 with Betfred - Sunday 11th April, kick-off 4pm, live on Sky Sports 1.

By Drew Swainston
(Guest writer from Betfred on behalf of Beer Footy and Birds!)