Birmingham City vs Southampton Prediction: Saints exited FA Cup midweek against Liverpool

Birmingham City will welcome Southampton at St. Andrew's Stadium in Game Week 35 of the English Championship. Saints are coming into the match on back of FA Cup exit against Liverpool. Who will come out on top after 90 minutes?

Birmingham failed to secure their third consecutive victory in the Championship this season as they were defeated 3-1 by Ipswich, who are in pursuit of a top-two spot. The loss came at Portman Road last weekend as the visiting team started their spell without Tony Mowbray on a negative note. Interim head coach Mark Venus would have been pleased to have the score level at half-time after Jordan James' goal equalized Conor Chaplin's opener. However, Ipswich managed to take control in the second half, scoring through Jeremy Sarmiento and Omari Hutchinson to claim all three points.

The defeat in East Anglia has placed Birmingham back in the relegation battle, with only three points separating them from 22nd-placed Stoke City. Jay Stansfield, who is level with James as the top scorer for Birmingham, has been performing well in the absence of Wayne Rooney, attracting interest from Ipswich and Southampton during the January transfer window. Birmingham will be looking to replicate their recent victory at St Andrew's at Knighthead Park, where they emerged victorious against Sunderland, ending Michael Beale's tenure as Black Cats boss

Ruddy; Laird, Sanderson, Roberts, Buchanan; Paik, Dozzell, Miyoshi, James, Bacuna; Stansfield

Southampton's impressive 25-game unbeaten run came to an end with a loss to Liverpool in the fifth round of the FA Cup. Despite showing promise in the game, Southampton's focus now shifts back to Championship matches as they aim to secure automatic promotion. Striker Adam Armstrong, who was rested for the Liverpool match, is expected to lead the line in their upcoming game against Birmingham City. Armstrong has been a key player for Southampton this season, with only two other players scoring more goals in the Championship.

Bazunu; Stephens, Harwood-Bellis, Bednarek, Manning; Smallbone, S Armstrong, Aribo; Sulemana, A Armstrong, Adams

Birmingham's performance is not as strong when manager Mowbray is not present on the sidelines, but they always show resilience against top teams at St Andrew's. Southampton is eager for a win to stay on course for automatic promotion, and we predict they will narrowly defeat Birmingham in the upcoming match in Second City.