After a break from club football due to the international break, yawn, Blues face promotion chasing Swansea at 8PM tonight. It will be Bowyer’s 3rd game in charge, with one win and one loss against Reading and Watford respectively. The international break has given Bowyer the first real opportunity to work with his squad, having had just a few days before each of Blues’ previous games prior to the break. Based on what was said by captain Harlee Dean ahead of tonight’s game, it appears Bowyer and Blues have used this break to work on their own strengths rather than “worrying… about the other team”, as was done under Karanka.
Last Time Out
Blues
Despite the 3-0 scoreline, Blues matched Watford for large parts of the game. It took just 4 minutes for the hosts to take the lead, after Sema tapped in a rebound following a good save by Neil Etheridge. Blues created chances but couldn’t capitalise on them, the opposite could be samed for the hosts however, who extended their lead after the break before wrapping up the 3 points courtesy of a smart Andre Gray finish.
Swansea
The Swans fell to defeat in the south Wales derby, losing 1-0 to playoff chasing Cardiff. It was the 2nd defeat on the bounce for the Swans, after losing 3-0 in their game against Bournemouth prior to the derby. Swansea will looking to bounce back against Blues, having dominated all the stats apart the most important one against their Welsh rivals.
Squads
Blues
Blues are waiting on the fitness of Scott Hogan and Ivan Sanchez, with the pair having injections to manage back and hernia issues. Caolan Boyd-Munce remains out through injury.
Swansea
The international break hasn’t been as helpful to the Swans with both top scorer Andre Ayew and ex vile Conor Hourihane suffering knocks. Both are doubts along with Marc Guehi, whilst Liam Cullen remains sidelined.
One To Watch
The last one to watch I did, Sarr of Watford, ended up not featuring in the game. With Andre Ayew likely to miss the game, I’m going with Ben Cabango, a 20 year old Welsh centre half. Cabango has 4 goals and an assist this season, with the centre half conceding an average of just 0.68 goals every 90 minutes and keeping a Clean Sheet in 13 matches out of the 27 that the he has played in.
PREDICTED LINEUP
Only change I’m going with is Seddon over Pedersen, who didn’t put in a great performance against Watford. Seddon is a good crosser of the ball, which would compliment Juke however I wouldn’t be surprised if Bowyer sticks with Peds. If Hogan is out, I think Bowyer will stick Leko alongside Juke.
Have you picked your #BCFC XI on the @FanHub_Football app? @HarryBiddle_ made just one change in his prediction! What about you? pic.twitter.com/VRQq8bdvzk
— We Are Birmingham (@WeAreBirmingham) April 2, 2021
A LINE FROM THE MANAGERS
Lee Bowyer
We will compete, and we will try and win the game – as we do in every game. Swansea are a good team that have good players who can hurt you. But if you stop those good players then it evens it out a little bit and we have players that can also hurt them
Lee Cooper
Birmingham are an experienced team with a new manager. They had a good result against Reading. Lee knows what he wants from his team, and we have to be ready than that.