- Birmingham have won three of the last five H2Hs and lost two (Preston won the other two).
- Preston have won just one of their last five Championship 2026/2027 games (D1, L3).
- Birmingham have won two of their last three home H2Hs.
No away win yet for The Lilywhites
The Blues are 10th in the Championship 2026/2027 with 11 points from 8 games, a solid mid-table platform from which to build on if they can land a home win at last. Chris Davies' side have drawn all four games to date at St Andrew's Knighthead Park and have yet to see off a single visiting side on home turf.
The last three games have seen them lose 2-1 away to Norwich City, win 2-1 away to Derby County and draw 2-2 at home to Middlesbrough, which is a mixed bag that could be better, especially the home results. Birmingham have been more clinical of late with the addition of Liam Millar, whose three assists in his last five games have helped the Blues to seven goals in that run.
Preston North End find themselves 23rd in the Championship 2026/2027 after picking up just four points from their opening eight games and the early pressure of the table is surely starting to tell on Graham Alexander's side. They come into this one after a 0-1 home defeat to Lincoln City was followed by a 2-2 away draw at Queens Park Rangers.
A tale of two approaches
These two sides will probably square off in a clash of opposing philosophies here, with Davies' Birmingham side set up to be a high-tempo side that look to press and play a quick game in behind. Alexander has opted for a more conservative set-up, with more structure, less risk in build-up and more counter attack as their main outlet.
Callum Lang has looked to be the main threat for Preston in the Championship 2026/2027, scoring three times in eight games but also three times in their last five, while Carlos Vicente is the top scorer for Birmingham with two in eight, so the match is relatively evenly matched and Birmingham have the edge in quality and creativity in that department.
Birmingham are the obvious selection here at 13/20, with Preston 193/50 and the draw 57/20. The hosts have been too easy to break at home though, conceding seven goals in their four games at St Andrew's at an average of 1.75 goals per-game, so a Birmingham win and both teams to score looks the sharper alternative in this one.
If Birmingham can win the transitions early, they should have enough to get the win, but if Preston can keep it cagey for the most part, this game could be cagey and close. Birmingham have won two of the most recent three home H2Hs, so a 2-1 result looks about right.
