- The visitors have taken 21 points from 18 Premier League 2 matches and are currently 21st in the table, but are in slightly better form than Birmingham U21 in the league (W1, D2, L2 from their last five).
- Birmingham U21 have lost three consecutive matches, suffering heavy defeats to West Bromwich Albion Academy (4-0) and Manchester City Academy (1-5).
Visitors are more forward-thinking
Everton U21 have been a much better team than their lowly 21st spot in Premier League 2 2025-2026 suggests, and Paul Tait has been a breath of fresh air in the position of U21 manager since his appointment in July 2022. The Toffees have pressed with energy and purpose when out of possession, while they have been a very fluid, front-foot side in possession, with the ability to change formation and overplay opponents out wide, where they excel with quality and pace.
Everton U21’s last away assignment ended in a chastening 5-0 defeat to the prolific Brighton & Hove Albion Academy, but they’ve only lost one of their previous four away matches. Tait has created an environment where young players can flourish and progress, and the likes of Braiden Graham, who has netted two of their last five goals, have flourished in recent weeks.
Mark Kennedy’s Birmingham U21 are a far more measured and pragmatic unit, which has been very apparent in their first ever Premier League 2 campaign as a Category One Academy. Birmingham U21 are 26th in the standings with 16 points from 18 games, but Kennedy has stuck to his guns and tried to get his players playing in a 4-2-3-1 shape, keeping their structure and pressing in a highly selective manner.
Everton have a real edge
Birmingham U21 have struggled to get going in 2025-2026, losing three in a row coming into this fixture, and have a poor record at St Andrew’s (W1, D4, L3). Tait’s side have a strong edge in terms of playing philosophy and personnel, and while their price of 63/100 makes them a very short favourite, Birmingham U21 are too long at 293/100.
Everton U21 should take all three points in this game, but Birmingham U21 have enough about them to keep it competitive for the first hour or so before their defensive line begins to be overrun. Birmingham U21’s Alezandro Da Silva is their main threat and the best player in their side, scoring three of their last seven goals, but Everton U21 have a greater all-round talent pool and will be too good.
Over 2.5 goals is a strong play at 33/100, while the visitors’ pace, pressing style and ability to overload the wide areas should see them stretch the Birmingham defensive block and come out on top.
