Crystal Palace v Birmingham: Goals in store at Selhurst

29Mar 2013

England - The Championship

Andy Tongue senses an Easter feast is in prospect as the Eagles entertain the improved West Midlanders...

Crystal Palace v Birmingham

Friday March 29, 17.30 GMT

Live on Sky Sports One

The Eagles have the chance to draw first blood in the Championship promotion race over the Easter weekend as they entertain a revitalised Birmingham in the first of a live televised double header.

Crystal Palace

Palace's hopes of prevailing in the gripping battle for the second automatic promotion spot took a knock with the 3-0 crushing at bitter rivals Brighton in their last match but it is their home form which has been the rock on which their successful campaign has been built this season. Just one defeat (back on the very first day of the season in August) is the best record in the division and the Eagles have scored comfortably more goals (47) on their own patch than anybody else.

Striker Glenn Murray has scored an incredible 29 goals in 34 starts this season. Manager Ian Holloway was hit with an FA rap after watching his side held to a 2-2 draw by Leeds last time out at Selhurst Park and will need to keep his composure during the promotion run-in as his men battle it out with Hull and Watford for the second automatic spot alongside Cardiff.

Birmingham

Birmingham now have 49 points, which in most seasons would mean they are safe and could start planning their summer holidays. However, the compressed nature of the Championship this season and recent good form of the sides in the relegation places means they need at least one more win and possibly even two to be totally sure of survival.

Their recent revival means that shouldn't be a problem though. The win at Middlesbrough last time out meant they have now lost just two of their last 12 league games and they have scored in each of the last five games. Nikola Zigic seems to be back in favour after his bust-up with Lee Clark and has scored the first goal in two of their last three away matches.

Over/Under 3.5 Goals

Palace have averaged nearly two and a half goals in each of their home games, while the Blues seem to play with more freedom away from St. Andrews. That makes over 3.5 goals an attractive bet at 3.2.

To Score

It's not an original selection but Murray has scored seven times in the last five league matches at Selhurst Park so has to be backed at the best available price to score at anytime.

Recommended Bets

Back over 3.5 goals at 3.2

Back Glenn Murray to score at any time at 1.9