Birmingham vs Sunderland Prediction: Can Mowbray get revenge on the Black Cats?

Birmingham City manager Tony Mowbray is currently on a tour of facing his old clubs. In the last two weeks he has faced West Bromwich Albion and Blackburn Rovers, who his side defeated 1-0 at St Andrew's @ Knighthead Park on Tuesday.

Up next is his most recent employers Sunderland on Saturday (15:00), who head to the West Midlands under Michael Beale, looking to keep themselves in the play-off picture, having suffered a setback by losing 1-0 at Huddersfield Town in the week.

Match Odds

Birmingham are 21/20 to post back-to-back victories for the first time since October. A draw can be backed at 23/10, while Sunderland are 11/8 to complete the double over the Blues.

Both teams were on the scoresheet back in November as the Black Cats won 3-1. BTTS is 8/11 to land this weekend. Over 2.5 goals is priced at 10/11.

Team News

Alfie Chang remaind sidelined for Birmingham through injury. Alex Pritchard is a doubt to face his former club having missed the last two games with a calf issue. Captain Dion Sanderson could return to the squad this weekend to face a team he spent a loan spell with in League One.

The visitors will be without Patrick Roberts, Niall Huggins, Dennis Cirkin and Bradley Dack due to injury. Corry Evans is nearing a return to first-team action as he looks to gain some valuable minutes with the Under-21s in the coming weeks.

Birmingham or draw and over 2.5 goals @ 13/5

It finally happened, after having 70 or so shots without a goal, Birmingham converted a chance as Andre Dozzell prodded home the winning goal against Blackburn in midweek.

That will feel like a huge weight of the squad's shoulders moving forwards after ending three games without a goal, and more importantly a win.

The Blues have given themselves a cushion on the relegation zone, and now they will be hoping that they can start looking up the table rather than down. With Mowbray welcoming the club that sacked him just two months ago, we think that the narrative for this clash has already been written.

Birmingham delivered a complete performance in the week and really should have put four or five past Blackburn. If they find composure in the final third, Sunderland could be in for a troublesome afternoon in B9.

The two teams have the quality within their ranks to deliver goals in this contest. Birmingham are expecting their biggest attendance of the season for this one and the bumper crowd could have a huge part to play here. That is why we are confident that they can get something from the game.

Tyler Roberts to score anytime @ 11/4

The hosts have been quite wasteful in front of goal in recent matches but there is a feeling that ending the goalless run in midweek could be a turning point for them in the final third.

They did squander some good chances against Rovers and Tyler Roberts missed two of the best opportunities in the game. The former Leeds United man has had his season blighted by injury and made a rare start on Tuesday, and apart from the two misses, he gave a solid performance in attack.

He is still waiting for his first league goal in blue and white, but if he plays how he did against Blackburn this weekend, we think he might just open his account.