Bet Builder Tips: Expect goals in our 31/1 punt for Birmingham v Sunderland

Our tipster Colin Harvey weighs up this meaty second-tier clash.

Birmingham City to Win
Both Teams to Score
Scott Hogan to Score Anytime
Jack Clarke to Score or Assist

A Bet Builder using these selections pays at approximately 31/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP.

Friday 8pm: Birmingham City v Sunderland
TV: Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football

Birmingham City to Win

Sunderland head to Birmingham City on Friday night looking to put a run of pretty poor form behind them. They’ve won just two of their last 10 Championship matches and sit 17th in the second tier, just four points off the drop done.

The Blues have been in the doldrums for the last few years but things are starting to look up. They’re 10th and three points off the playoff places after 20 games. If they’re to break into the top six these are the games they have to be winning.

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They’re in great shape and have lost just two of their last 13 matches, winning six and drawing the other five. Their home form is middling though, with 14 points taken from 10 games while Sunderland are good on the road and have the same tally which puts them 5th in the away table.

But, with both sides’ recent form factored in I think we have to be on a home win. City’s last four home matches have all been against sides ranked 11th or higher and they might make their quality play against one of the league’s lower-placed sides.

Both Teams to Score

While neither are outrageously-prolific scorers I think we might see a few goals on Friday night with both averaging over two goals a game. The hosts have scored 22 from 20 games while Sunderland are a little more deadly with 24 in the positive column from 19 matches.

Both are regular conceders with City shipping 18 and The Black Cats, 22. It all boils down to a total of exactly 2 goals a game for City and 2.42 per match for Sunderland. Both sides have netted in four of Sunderland’s last six and in the same number for City so with our selection clicking more often than not we’ll have a go on Both Teams to Score.

Scott Hogan to Score Anytime

Scott Hogan has been City’s star man this season and he’s hit double figures for direct goal involvements so far with nine scored and one set up. He’s their focal point and is six clear of anyone else in the squad.

He’s the easy pick for a goal scorer in this match and he’s bagged in his last two. Going further back he’s in great overall form with four goals in his last six appearances so it has to be Hogan to Score Anytime.

Jack Clarke to Score or Assist

Ross Stewart is the big name for Sunderland and no-one would be surprised if he pops up with his sixth goal of the season on Friday. However, we’ll look to hedge our bets a little and go with Jack Clarke to Score or Assist.

The 21-year old, like Hogan, has 10 goal involvements this season but he’s got a nice spread of four goals and six assists with four of those coming in his last six matches. His haul of four goals puts him one behind Stewart at the top of Sunderland’s top scorer charts but with that ability to provide we’re getting cracking odds on Clarke or Score or Assist.

Birmingham v Sunderland Betting

Birmingham City to Win
Both Teams to Score
Scott Hogan to Score Anytime
Jack Clarke to Score or Assist

A Bet Builder using these selections pays at approximately 31/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK HERE TO ADD IT TO YOUR BETSLIP.

*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.

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