Tony Mowbray, who is now on an official medical leave of absence, was replaced as interim manager by Gary Rowett until the end of the season, as Birmingham City stated earlier this week.
Rowett led Birmingham City in both 2014 and 2016. The 50-year-old has not had a job since leaving fellow Championship team Millwall in October.
The West Midlands team is now sitting in 21st place in the table and is tied for 22nd place with Huddersfield Town in the relegation zone. The former manager of Burton Albion, Derby County, and Stoke City has just eight games left to salvage the season for the Blues.
Following the international break, the first five of those games are against QPR, Preston North End, Leicester City, Cardiff City, and Coventry City. Here, we forecast Rowett’s start to his second stint with the Blues.
QPR (A)
Jacob Hackett: “Rowett is known for his defensively resolute style of play, and winning would be a great way to start things off against QPR, who are only one spot and one point above them in the table thanks to Marti Cifuentes’ team.”
“QPR will feel optimistic of widening their margin above Birmingham when they play because they have only lost two of their last 11 games after emerging from the bottom three themselves. Nevertheless, I believe the Blues can grind out a victory.
Prediction for QPR vs. Birmingham City: 1-1
Preston, North End (H)
If Preston wins their current match, they will only be two points outside of the play-off spots. Preston is a team that hopes to finish in the top six. Undoubtedly a challenging test for Rowett’s team, however home field advantage might be important.
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“I do believe Birmingham will be a threat to the Lilywhites, but Rowett should put the Blues’ defense first in this one as well,”
Prediction for Birmingham City vs. Preston North End: 1-1 Leicester City (A)
“This is undoubtedly Birmingham’s hardest test until the end of the season.” This season, hardly many teams have visited King Power Stadium and come away with a win.
“The Foxes are still favorites for the title despite a slight decline in form in recent weeks, and it is hard to look past a comfortable victory for the hosts this time around.”
Prediction for Leicester City vs. Birmingham City: 2-0
Cardiff City (H)
The Welsh team is expected to play another season in the second division, so the Bluebirds may not have much to play for by this point, depending on Cardiff’s performance before this match.
Birmingham will still be craving success if the earlier forecasts come true, or even close to it, and I believe they have a chance to win this match.
Prediction for Birmingham City vs. Cardiff City: Coventry City 2-1 (H)
“Coventry is another team who is in the running for the top six, despite their loss in the previous season’s play-off final. They are currently four points below those elusive spots and will undoubtedly be a formidable foe for Rowett’s team going into the FA Cup semi-final.
“Given the caliber of their team, I see this being a close game with Mark Robins’ team emerging victorious in the end.” A loss here would complete Rowett’s first five games back at Birmingham City with a mixed bag of outcomes.
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