Birmingham City vs. Nottingham Forest Preview

Birmingham City’s promotion push is really starting to come together and the Blues can swipe another three points when they host a languishing Nottingham Forest side at St Andrews on February 25.

A creditable draw against league leaders Southampton and superb wins over Portsmouth and Leeds United have put Chris Hughton’s men bang in contention for a return to the Premier League and they are undoubtedly the Championship’s form team with further triumphs expected to follow.

This will not come as welcome news for a struggling Forest outfit who have been woeful on the main during a season which they initially anticipated to be a success.

The Blues are brimming with confidence – and their improved domestic form shone through at Stamford Bridge on their most recent outing when they drew with giants Chelsea who were unequivocally seen as second best to the Midlands club.

In Nikola Zigic, City have a real quality front man who is able to put the finishing touches to the team’s creativity and his international pedigree is making both himself and the club standout in the Npower Championship.

The Serbian struck four goals against Leeds in a marvellous solo performance and he is likely to thrive further upon Forest’s inept defence which has already conceded 48 goals so far during the current league campaign.

Steve Cotterill’s side, in all fairness, turned in a much improved display in a must win fixture at home to Coventry and the deserved three points which they earned now leaves them with a small amount of breathing space above the relegation zone.

But Cotterill would surely have wished for an easier follow up to attain some consistency and Forest’s reprieve should, in summary, be brief. Birmingham were initially disappointed to have exited the Europa League, probably because they did themselves a great deal of justice despite falling short.

Nevertheless, there can be no argument that the Blues league form and overall standard has soared markedly since they have only had one match to focus on each week – and the squad is crucially now more settled and gelled.

Chelsea may not be the force of old however Birmingham should have perhaps knocked them out of the Cup and it was the Premier League side who were in the end lucky to snatch a replay.

There is nothing to suggest that Forest can cope with a team of Birmingham’s skill and attacking enterprise and the hosts will be disappointed if they cannot continue their excellent streak against such a weak side.

The bookmakers as expected hold Birmingham as strong favourites however the 7/10 on offer still looks appealing.

4/9 would not look out of place for a team in such fine form squaring off at home against relegation fodder, so punters should definitely earmark the Brum in and amongst their serious multiples for the weekend.

Forest have also only been allotted a one goal start on the standard handicap and this can be covered by a rampant Zigic and co at 7/4.

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20/02/2012     © Frixo 2024