Pundit drops clear Southampton v Birmingham City score prediction | OneFootball

Southampton will host Birmingham City at St. Mary's this Saturday

Sam Parkin has predicted a 1-1 draw between Southampton and Birmingham City in their upcoming Championship clash.

The Saints are looking to bounce back from a 3-2 loss to Millwall last weekend, their first defeat under interim manager Tonda Eckert.

Meanwhile, the Blues will be aiming to win their third game from four, with their recent form moving them up to eighth in the table.

Only four points separate the two teams ahead of their meeting at St. Mary’s, with both clubs aiming to compete for promotion to the Premier League this season.

However, underwhelming form from Southampton has left them sitting 14th in the table ahead of their first of six matches this month.

Sam Parkin predicts Southampton v Birmingham City

Parkin has predicted that both teams will score in a 1-1 draw at St. Mary’s on Saturday between Southampton and Birmingham.

The former Swindon Town and Ipswich Town forward-turned-pundit believes that Jay Stansfield will bag one for Chris Davies’ side, but expects the two defences to play a significant role in keeping this a low-scoring affair.

“Southampton can wipe the slate clean after that one at Millwall, that’s the division,” said Parkin, via Benjamin Bloom’s YouTube channel.

“It’s great to see Armstrong performing again, and the lads Azaz and Fellows because they were, not being written off but, finding a bit of time to find their rhythm.

“I quite like a 1-1 here, quite like a 1-1, maybe Stansfield for Birmingham.

“Maybe quite a tight affair here, with defences possibly slightly on top.”

Southampton’s last meeting with Birmingham came on 2 March 2024, with the Saints taking all three points in a Championship clash that ended 4-3.

Eckert will be hoping for a similar result on Saturday, as he looks to get the club back to winning ways, having overseen four wins in a row prior to the loss to Millwall last weekend.

The 32-year-old is in charge on a temporary basis, but a fifth win in six would strengthen his case to become Will Still’s permanent replacement.

Meanwhile, Birmingham won 2-1 against Watford on Monday evening, and could jump into a play-off place with another victory, depending on results elsewhere.

The Hampshire outfit will host the Blues on 6 December in a 3pm kick-off.

Southampton’s home form will be crucial to climbing the Championship table

Southampton were down near the relegation places prior to Still’s dismissal, so have done well to climb as high as 14th.

But if they are to get back into promotion contention, then their home form will be crucial, particularly in getting results against sides like Birmingham.

Davies’ team have been abysmal away from home, so this is a game the Saints have to be targeting for all three points if anyone is to take their promotion push seriously at this stage.

Another win would also go a long way in helping Eckert convince the Southampton owners that he is the right man to replace Still permanently, while another defeat could end his chances of holding onto the role.