Birmingham – Burnley

Birmingham are finishing very successful season for them. However, they’re in a bad run of results with eight games without a win and four consecutive draws at home. In previous round, lost a derby game vs. Villa, despite very good display. If they fail in last two games, theoretically could lost four places. Side-back, Stephen Carr, is banned for one match in light of the gestures he made at Aston Villa. Striker Christian Benitez may feature after a six-game absence.

.

Burnley booked their ticket to Championship long time ago. Their Premiership story came to end when Owen Coyle left the club. Everything after that have been just torturing the fans. Chairman Barry Kilby said, thankfully to this season they won’t have any financial worries in next 10 years. If it was a target, ok then. Regarding their performances, without Coyle they’re just an average Championship squad. With new manager, Brian Laws (have picked up just 7 points from a possible 48 since he took the charge) they’re even less than that. They stopped winning at home, while on the road have 16 defeats of 18 games (goal difference 16-50)! Haven’t noticed a clean sheet in 25 games and need to concede against Brum to equal Wimbledon's Premier League record from 11 years ago. Defender Clarke Carlisle is absent again. 

This is the last home game for Birmingham and I think after unfair defeat in derby game, they’ll want to put some effort and play for the fans. Difference in quality are big as well. Burnley will play for the scouts and I can’t see any improving. Bet is Birmingham -1 ah @ 1.92 Pinnacle.

Available free bets, bonus offers and promotions:
Expekt - First deposit bonus up to €35 / £25 for all new customers
Make your first deposit at expekt.com and we will immediately double your money up to max €35 / £25. Take these 3 easy steps to start profiting from sports betting: 1.Register an account with expekt.com here. 2.Deposit a minimum of €10 into your expekt.com account. 3.Send an email to 35eurbonus@expekt.com with your customer number and deposit amount included. The bonus amount up to €35/£25 will be added to your account within 48 h

Monday's gossip column

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Manchester United will make a last-ditch attempt to keep striker Carlos Tevez at the club and are willing to pay £25m for the Argentine.(Daily Telegraph) 
However, Manchester City are leading the race for Tevez and are prepared to pay £30m to land the 25-year-old. (Daily Mirror) 
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has insisted that Xabi Alonso is a key part of his plans and does not want to sell him. Real Madrid are reportedly interested in the midfielder. (Daily Telegraph)
Birmingham are set to land Ecuador striker Christian Benitez for £6.25m from Mexican club Santos Leguna. (Daily Mirror) 
Alex McLeish's Premier League new boys also look set to sign Manchester City keeper Joe Hart on loan. (Daily Mirror)
West Brom are keen on Rangers midfielder Barry Ferguson and will bid £1m for the Scotsman. (Daily Mirror) 
Winger Glen Little looks set to leave Portsmouth and join Championship side Coventry. (Daily Mirror)
Sheffield United are poised to sell young defender Kyle Naughton and have slapped a £5m price tag on his head. (Daily Mirror) 
West Ham captain Lucas Neill looks set to leave the club after turning down a new one-year deal.(Daily Mail) 
And Manchester City now appear favourites to sign Australian defender Neill from the Hammers. (The Sun) 

CHELSEA GOSSIP

Former AC Milan manager Carlo Ancelotti will be given £50m to spend on new players if he takes over at Chelsea.(The Sun) 
Chelsea captain John Terry has urged Blues owner Roman Abramovich to bankroll Ancelotti, if the Italian arrives at Stamford Bridge. (Daily Mirror) 
Ancelotti could be given up to £100m by Abramovich to spend on new players. (Daily Star) (Daily Star) 
And captain Terry has urged the Italian to make Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery and Valencia forward David Villa his first signings as Chelsea manager.(The Guardian) 
Ancelotti's arrival may mean the Chelsea careers of Florent Malouda, Salomon Kalou and Deco will come to an end.(The Sun) 
The 49-year-old coach is also lining up Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor and will pay £23m for the front-man.(Daily Express) 
Ancelotti will hope to bring AC Milan midfielder Andrea Pirlo with him to Stamford Bridge. (Daily Star) 
The former Italian midfielder is also targeting Atletico Madrid's £50m-rated striker Sergio Aguero. (Daily Express) 
Ancelotti is keen to appoint Filippo Galli, who was his assistant at AC Milan, as his number two at Stamford Bridge.(The Times) 
However, Ancelotti's Chelsea move could be in doubt after Real Madrid declared their interest in the Italian.(Independent) 

OTHER GOSSIP

Alan Shearer looks set to turn down the chance to become the permanent manager of Newcastle unless owner Mike Ashley can quickly offload the club at a knockdown price. (Daily Express)
Shearer will also have to reduce his financial demands if he is to be installed as Magpies boss.(The Guardian) 
Sunderland are set to unveil current Wigan manager Steve Bruce as their new boss. (Daily Mirror)
However, Wigan are still holding out on the £3m in compensation they want for Bruce's departure. (Daily Express) 
Meanwhile, Sunderland officials have spoken of their puzzlement at claims from former Inter Milan manager Roberto Mancini that he has been offered the manager's job at the Stadium of Light. (The Guardian) 
Wigan owner Dave Whelan wants to replace Bruce with Swansea manager Roberto Martinez. (Daily Mirror) 

AND FINALLY

Chelsea winger Florent Malouda has revealed the secret behind his recent fine form - the removal of his wisdom teeth. (The Independent)
Chelsea players celebrated their Wembley triumph on Saturday with a night out and left the FA Cup in a bin liner. (Daily Star) 
Departing Blues manager Guus Hiddink and his partner Liza were each given a £50,000 Rolex Daytona watch by Chelsea players as a thank you. (The Sun)
But Hiddink could be fined £50 after being caught on camera smoking a cigar in Chelsea's Wembley dressing room on Saturday. (Daily Mirror)
www.bbc.co.uk