B Team Preview: Saints vs Birmingham

Saints vs Birmingham

Premier League 2

Staplewood Campus

Monday 21st February, 7pm GMT

After a painful late draw in the Premier League Cup at Bournemouth last week, Dave Horseman’s side turn their attentions back to Premier League 2, looking to carry on their strong form.

Last time out in the competition a youthful Saints side came away from second place West Brom with a 1-0 win at the start of February, scored by Luke Pearce during the first half.

They now face a Birmingham side struggling for form in the division; defeat at Wolves last-time-out making it just two wins from the last ten games.

Three points for Saints on Monday could see them rise to as high as third if other results go their way, whilst Birmingham could leapfrog Middlesbrough into 12th with a win.

Saints travelled to Birmingham back in September still in search of their first win in Premier League 2.

Goals from Dom Ballard and Caleb Watts helped the visitors storm into a two goal lead after just 12 minutes, before the Blues stunned Saints with three goals in 15 minutes before half-time.

Saints went to win five of the next seven games in all competitions.

“We’ve had a good training week this week,” said Horseman. “There’s lots of positives we can take from the Bournemouth game.

“What we’ve got between now and the end of the season is big blocks between games, which is actually really good for the development side of things.

“Birmingham have actually improved a lot and Steve [Spooner] is a real good coach there so it will be a tough game.

“But we’ve had four unbeaten in competitive games so hopefully we can finish the season on a positive and you never know where we might end up in the league.”