Match Pack: Birmingham vs Saints
Saints turn attention back to league matters on Saturday as they head to Birmingham in the Sky Bet Championship. Get the lowdown with our Match Pack...
THE MATCH
Birmingham vs Saints
Sky Bet Championship
St Andrew’s
Saturday 2nd March, 3pm GMT
THE OFFICIALS
Referee: James Bell
Assistants: Ian Cooper, Craig Taylor
Fourth official: James Linington
HOW TO WATCH?
Only international fans in unsold markets and other selected territories will be able to stream video coverage of our game against Birmingham on Saints Play.
However live audio commentary is available worldwide, including the UK and Ireland.
WHAT KIT WILL SAINTS BE IN?
As they were at Liverpool in midweek, Saints will be in their white and teal away kit.
WHAT’S AT STAKE?
With just 12 league games remaining this season, Russell Martin’s side need a return to winning ways after suffering back-to-back defeats.
Sitting five points behind Ipswich and Leeds in third and second respectively, Saints can ill afford to lose further ground in the race for promotion, but are facing a Blues side unbeaten in four league games at home.
Just three points above the drop zone, the hosts need to make the most of home advantage in their bid for survival, teeing up a tense encounter in the Midlands.
TEAM NEWS
Having limped off at Anfield in midweek, Kyle Walker-Peters will miss his first league game of the season this weekend with a quad injury.
On a more positive note, loanee David Brooks is available for selection having had to sit out Wednesday night’s clash due to being cup tied.
THE MANAGERS
Mark Venus (caretaker manager): "You can't underestimate the threat that they pose. They've got lots of quality and they went on a long unbeaten run which spoke for itself, but they have lost three of the last four so they are vulnerable."
Russell Martin: "It’s always a tough place to go. I’m sure they’re fighting really hard for Tony [Mowbray]. They run hard, they’re really difficult to play against.
"We were aware of West Brom’s form when we went there and Birmingham’s is similar. So if we put in a similar performance, we’ll stand a good chance."
TOP SCORERS
Birmingham
Goals:
Jay Stansfield 9
Jordan James 8
Juninho Bacuna 7
Assists:
Bacuna, Miyoshi 5
Cody Drameh 4
Stansfield, Šunjić 3
Southampton
Goals:
Adam Armstrong 16
Ché Adams 11
Ryan Fraser 8
Assists:
Adam Armstrong 11
Stuart Armstrong 6
Ché Adams 5
ONES TO WATCH
Jay Stansfield: The Fulham loanee is Birmingham's top scorer this season and has adapted well to life in the Championship having enjoyed a first taste of senior football on loan at Exeter in League One in 2022/23.
Stansfield scored just a minute after coming on in the reverse fixture at St Mary's and will likely lead the line at St Andrew's.
Adam Armstrong: Although Saints' number nine hasn't scored in three games, Armstrong will buoyed by his encouraging record against the Blues.
The striker has scored six goals in his last four Championship games against Birmingham. Overall he has seven goals against them in the competition, more than he has against any other opponent.
HEAD TO HEAD
Played: 49
Birmingham: 17
Draws: 11
Saints: 21
LAST FIVE MEETINGS
October 2023: Saints 3-1 Birmingham (Harwood-Bellis, Alcaraz, A Armstrong)
February 2012: Birmingham 0-0 Saints
September 2011: Saints 4-1 Birmingham (Lambert 2, Guly, Chaplow)
August 2009: Saints 1-2 Birmingham (Lallana) League Cup
March 2009: Birmingham 1-0 Saints
DID YOU KNOW?
Saints are looking for their first league double over Birmingham City since the 1985/86 top-flight campaign.
KEEP UP TO DATE
Unable to make the trip to St Andrew’s? We’ve got you covered! We’ll bring you all the behind-the-scenes content alongside the in-game action as Saints travel to Birmingham.
Check out our interactive match centre at southamptonfc.com, with live streaming of the game, key updates and audio commentary of the match, and be sure to download the official Saints app and follow us on social media for further updates and exclusive content:
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