Birmingham – Stoke City

Birmingham host Stoke City in what promises to be a tightly‑contested fixture as the two clubs sit side by side in the table, Birmingham in ninth with ten points from seven games and Stoke just a place below. Both sides have amassed the same tally of ten points, but Birmingham’s record of two wins, four draws and a single loss gives them a slightly better goal difference (+1) compared with Stoke’s even 0. The Blues will be keen to improve on their modest 10‑9 goal tally, while the Potters will look to edge ahead after scoring eleven times this season. Historically the two have exchanged blows evenly, so the match could easily decide which side climbs into the top‑eight chase.