West Brom vs Birmingham Prediction: Blues primed to crack their away form

West Bromwich Albion threw away a two-goal lead to Championship leaders Coventry City at the weekend. Up next for them is another West Midlands derby as Birmingham City head to The Hawthorns on Wednesday (20:00 GMT, Sky Sports Main Event).

The Blues make the trip off the back of a 4-1 triumph over Norwich City as they look to translate their home form into their away performances. Read on for my West Brom vs Birmingham predictions, accompanied by the latest team news and match odds.

Team News

West Brom boss Ryan Mason will be forced into one change here following Jayson Molumby's red card at Coventry. The midfielder was shown two yellow cards and will have to sit out of this contest. Ousmane Diakite looks the most likely candidate to come into the team in his place to play alongside Alex Mowatt.

Aune Heggebo bagged a brace on Saturday so he should continue up top as he keeps Josh Maja out of the XI.

Mason received criticism after Mikey Johnston was brought off at half-time on Saturday despite teeing up both of Albion's goals.

Football Odds

Ethan Laird (hamstring) Lee Buchanan and Scott Wright (both knee) remain unavailable for Birmingham, while Paik Seung-ho is out of action for a few weeks with a shoulder issue.

Willum Willumsson has almost gone three months since his last appearance but he has returned to training and manager Chris Davies has said he could be back in contention soon.

Winger Demarai Gray was unplayable against Norwich last time out but he was seen walking down the tunnel after he was brought off in the second half, so there might be some concerns over his availability on Wednesday.

If he is okay to start, Davies is expected to field the same team for the third consecutive match, with Marvin Ducksch and Jay Stansfield linking up again in the final third. Both bagged braces against the Canaries and Stansfield is now up to joint-second in the scoring charts.

Today's Football Fixtures

West Brom vs Birmingham Odds

West Brom have won two of their last three home games in the Championship and they are 13/8 to win this clash.

Birmingham are also 13/8 (implied probability of 38.1%) to collect the three points, and the visitors have won three of their past four fixtures.

Abion drew 0-0 against Sheffield Wednesday here at the start of the month and the stalemate is priced at 15/8.

Over 2.5 goals has landed in each of Birmingham's previous four league games and it is marketed at 5/4.

Draw No Bet - Birmingham @ 5/6

Davies has looked to have found his best team now at Birmingham and they are expected to climb up the table in the coming weeks. The Blues find themselves a point outside the play-offs and six behind Middlesbrough in second.

If the ambitious club wish to fight for an automatic promotion spot they will need to start picking up more points away from home. Birmingham have managed just two wins from seven on their travels - collecting seven points overall.

Only Sheffield Wednesday, Watford and Portsmouth have been worse away from home this season. Davies and his players know they need to start channeling their home performances on the road and they will be sensing an opportunity to change their fortunes on Wednesday.

Albion will likely be feeling vulnerable after their defeat at the weekend, and with some fans already growing restless with boss Mason, this is a match they need to deliver a response.

I think Birmingham have the momentum coming into this, but their away result up until this point are concerning, so I think covering them in the Draw No Bet market is the smartest play here.

Anytime Goalscorer - Marvin Ducksch @ 21/10

It's taken a while, thanks to injuries and fitness setbacks, but Birmingham are getting to see just what Ducksch can offer, and he, along with Patrick Roberts and Tommy Doyle have helped transform this side.

The German forward's link-up play in the final third is exceptional for a big man and his positioning is just as good. He opened up his Blues account on Saturday with a brace - and he really should've ended up with a hat-trick.

The 31-year-old should be full of confidence heading to The Hawthorns and I think he is good value to scored for a second successive game on Wednesday night.

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