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High profile games such Arsenal vs Chelsea & Everton vs Liverpool obviously take the spotlight this weekend but those games won’t matter to anybody connected to Wolves or Birmingham City and for those fans this is the biggest, most important game of the weekend & probably season so far.

Wolves & Birmingham City came up together from the Championship last season & both were strongly fancied to be involved in the relegation scrap this season & that definitely seems to be the case so this is a huge game for everybody connected.

Wolves have displayed real commitment & team spirit in every single game this season but in terms of player quality & team performance they have been found wanting & it really is not surprising to see them sit 2nd bottom of the league.

Mick McCarthy’s team have given everything in every game but they have faults in all the key areas with a defence that looks fragile & lacks pace, a midfield that lacks creativity & strength and a forward line is short on power & goal threat and clearly with that combination of failings it is easy to see why Wolves are struggling.

Mick McCarthy knows that the one key factor in Wolves survival bid will definitely be their home form & with this match being against not only their big local rivals but also relegation rivals, this match must be one that Wolves target a win in & we do expect them to be very positive here.

The problem for Mick McCarthy faces is trying to maintain the confidence of the team & especially after being thrashed by Chelsea last weekend but the local derby element should help somewhat in the respect & focus the players minds here.

Alex McCleish made clear at the start of the season that is sole ambition was to finish 17th or higher so the fact Birmingham City currently sit 13th must be incredibly satisfactory to him & everybody concerned with Birmingham City.

Birmingham City are one of the simplest teams to evaluate in the Premier League because they are on the most consistent in terms of approach & style of play with their focus on being defensively solid & hard working key elements to their success so far.

Birmingham City have been fantastic in defence this season & only Chelsea, Manchester United & Aston Villa have conceded fewer goals which is a remarkable achievement & the main reason they have the results that they have so far.

Team confidence & belief is obviously a massively important factor & Birmingham City should come into this game very confident after their deserved 1-0 win over Fulham last weekend & they know that they are very hard to breakdown so that definitely gives them a chance of getting a positive result here.

The biggest weakness for Birmingham City is their obvious inability to score enough goals which does affect their chances of winning games & that has to be a concern but they do have players who can edge tight games with moments of quality which will give them hope.

This is a massively important local derby with both Wolves & Birmingham City determined to try & win gain vital points in this relegation 6 pointer but with so much at stake for both teams & given how intensely competitive we expect this game to be, a low scoring draw seems a very sensible call & a value bet worth taking.

Betting Recommendations:

Outright Match Betting: DRAW

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Correct Score options: 1-1

First goalscorer each way/Player to score anytime options: Mcfadden/Benitez/Jerome

Scorecast options: Mcfadden/Benitez/Jerome score 1st & 1-1

Double Result: Birmingham City Half Time & Draw Full Time