S.P.Read Esq: Aston Villa v Birmingham

Our daily columnist and pundit S.P. Read Esq. looks ahead to the Capital One Cup game at 7.45pm between ASTON VILLA v BIRMINGHAM and finds the best opportunities available on Star Spreads, the home of sports spread betting.

Couldn’t have got Derby v Burnley more wrong if I tried last night. I fancied goals. It finished 0-0. I lost the bet. That aside, it was 90 minutes of my life I won’t get back watching it. What a wretched game.

Step forward Aston Villa and Birmingham into the SKY cameras tonight. The good news is you can’t do any worse than last night.

It’s a Capital One Cup game but (in the style of the M&S adverts) this isn’t just any Capital One Cup game but a Capital One Cup derby game !!

Villa have a great home record against their local rivals who have not won here since 2004.

Birmingham have started the season better in their respective leagues and won this tournament in 2011 but have only gone beyond the third round once since then.

Birmingham’s boss Gary Rowett is not exactly playing down his teams chances: “We’re in a really good place. We’re flying high in the league, we’ve only lost one game this season. We’ve got everything to look forward to. There’s no pressure on us. Where Villa are in the league, where they are with their season, there’s more pressure on them to win, so we can go there a little bit freer.”

Villa will be without midfielder Idrissa Gueye who has a hamstring problem. Jores Okore (knee) and Adama Traore (ankle) are also expected to miss the match.

Birmingham will be without defender Neal Eardley who has a dislocated shoulder which could keep in out for at least six weeks.

Aston Villa v Birmingham City
Capital One Cup 3rd Round
19:45 Sky Sports 1 / Sky Sports 1 HD

HEAD TO HEAD RECORD
(Maximum 10 matches)
Jan 2011 PREMIER Birmingham 1-1 Aston Villa
Dec 2010 CARLING CUP Birmingham 2-1 Aston Villa
Oct 2010 PREMIER Aston Villa 0-0 Birmingham
Apr 2010 PREMIER Aston Villa 1-0 Birmingham
Sep 2009 PREMIER Birmingham 0-1 Aston Villa
Apr 2008 PREMIER Aston Villa 5-1 Birmingham
Nov 2007 PREMIER Birmingham 1-2 Aston Villa
Apr 2006 PREMIERSHIP Aston Villa 3-1 Birmingham
Oct 2005 PREMIERSHIP Birmingham 0-1 Aston Villa
Mar 2005 PREMIERSHIP Birmingham 2-0 Aston Villa

After last night it should be a case of once bitten, twice shy, but I fancy goals again and am buying total goals at around 2.85 with Star Spreads.

CLICK FOR ASTON VILLA v BIRMINGHAM MARKETS ON STAR SPREADS

RECOMMENDED BETS (scale 1-100 points)

BUY TOTAL GOALS for 75 points at around 2.85 goals with STAR SPREADS

• Any spread prices quoted are indicative and as always prices are subject to fluctuation.
• Please note the opinion, views and forecasts above are of the author and not of Star Spreads.