- Birmingham sit 16th in the Championship with 53 points after 41 games, while Wrexham are seventh with 64 points after the same number of games.
- Birmingham have won one, drawn one and lost one of their last three home Championship fixtures.
- Wrexham have won one, drawn one and lost one of their last three away Championship fixtures.
Championship clash of the seasons’ two promoted clubs
Birmingham City and Wrexham are both having excellent seasons and will probably be competing again next season.
The last meeting between the clubs, in the Championship, came only six months ago in Wrexham’s home ground and ended 1-1. Since then, Birmingham have continued to play a more organised, possession-based game under Chris Davies, who took charge in July 2024, while Wrexham have continued to favour a more direct, vertical game under Phil Parkinson, who arrived at the Welsh club in July 2021.
Davies’ system of controlled, pressing football, which aims to control the game and win the ball back quickly, is still not producing the results the Blues need to climb the table. Birmingham have won only one of their last five games, losing three of those matches including a 0-1 home defeat to Blackburn Rovers and a 2-1 loss at Ipswich Town last time out.
Parkinson’s approach relies on a physical 3-5-2 system that is strong in the air, quick to recover the second ball and direct enough to get the ball to the front three through long passes and the wing-backs. Wrexham have picked up two wins, one draw and two defeats from their last five, including a 2-2 away draw at West Bromwich Albion and a 1-5 home loss to high-flying Southampton.
Parkinson’s direct play should cause Blues problems
The contrasting styles of these two teams should ensure a fascinating game on Sunday as Davies’ Blues will be looking to keep the ball on the ground and press while Parkinson’s Wrexham will want to disrupt Birmingham’s play and get the ball forward in as direct a manner as possible.
Birmingham’s top scorer in the Championship this season is Marvin Ducksch with 10 goals in 32 appearances and his movement off the ball and clinical finishing will be crucial for the Blues, especially in the tight games they have had recently. Wrexham’s top goal threat is Josh Windass, who has 12 in 36 Championship appearances this season and has scored three of the Red Dragons’ last seven goals.
Birmingham have won nine, drawn eight and lost three of their 20 home games in the Championship, conceding 20 goals in total. Wrexham have won eight, drawn seven and lost five of their 20 away games in the league, scoring an average of 1.30 goals per game and conceding 1.15 per game.
Given that both teams’ attacking strengths have been more evident than their defensive solidity in recent weeks, we’re going for a goal-fest in this game with over 2.5 goals looking good value at 4/5. A close game is likely, however, and we’re taking the draw at 5/2 and both teams to score - Yes at 67/100.
