Birmingham City vs Southampton — Match Preview
The festive football calendar concludes with a Monday night clash at St. Andrew’s on 29 December 2025. Birmingham City, currently 14th with 29 points, are enduring a difficult winter run, having won just once in their last five outings. The Blues were comprehensively beaten 3–0 by Sheffield United last time out and will be desperate to avoid being dragged into the lower reaches of the table. Southampton, sitting 11th with 31 points, arrive with mixed form but hold the psychological edge, having defeated Birmingham 3–1 earlier this month at St. Mary’s. A win for the Saints would propel them back into the top-half conversation, while a loss for Birmingham could see pressure mount on manager Chris Davies.
Birmingham City vs Southampton — Match Info
- Competition: EFL Championship (Matchday 24)
- Venue: St. Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park, Birmingham (Capacity: 29,409)
- Date: Monday, 29 December 2025
- Kickoff: 20:00 GMT | 21:00 CET | 15:00 ET
- Referee: TBC (EFL Appointment)
Birmingham City vs Southampton — Match Stakes
Birmingham City (14th — 29 pts):
- Win → Moves to 32 pts; leapfrogs Southampton and potentially climbs to 10th/11th.
- Draw → Stabilizes the recent slide (3 losses in 4 games); keeps a buffer to the relegation zone.
- Loss → Extends winless run; risk falling to 16th or lower depending on other results.
Southampton (11th — 31 pts):
- Win → Moves to 34 pts; closes the gap on the playoff places (Top 6).
- Draw → Maintains position; likely seen as a missed opportunity against an out-of-form side.
- Loss → Drops below Birmingham; mid-table stagnation continues.
Birmingham City vs Southampton — Team News
Birmingham City:
- Bielik K. — Questionable (Muscle tightness – Late fitness test)
- Buchanan L. — Available (Returned to training)
- Stansfield J. — Available (Top Scorer – Key threat)
- Gray D. — Available (Creative spark)
- Fatigue: After a heavy defeat to Sheffield Utd just days ago, rotation in midfield is expected.
Southampton:
- Bazunu G. — Out (Shoulder Injury)
- Smallbone W. — Questionable (Knock vs Coventry)
- Armstrong A. — Available (Scored brace in reverse fixture)
- Downes F. — Available (Midfield anchor)
- Stephens J. — Suspended (Yellow card accumulation likely)
Birmingham City vs Southampton — Team Form (Last 5 Matches)
Birmingham City
- 20/12 — 0–3 vs Sheffield Utd (Championship)
- 13/12 — 1–1 vs Charlton (Championship)
- 10/12 — 1–2 vs QPR (Championship)
- 06/12 — 1–3 vs Southampton (Championship)
- 02/12 — 2–1 vs Watford (Championship)
Southampton
- 20/12 — 1–1 vs Coventry (Championship)
- 13/12 — 1–2 vs Norwich (Championship)
- 10/12 — 3–2 vs West Brom (Championship)
- 06/12 — 3–1 vs Birmingham (Championship)
- 29/11 — 2–3 vs Millwall (Championship)
Birmingham City vs Southampton — Head-to-Head (Last 5 Meetings)
- 06/12/2025 — Southampton 3–1 Birmingham (Championship)
- 02/03/2024 — Birmingham 3–4 Southampton (Championship)
- 28/10/2023 — Southampton 3–1 Birmingham (Championship)
- 04/02/2012 — Birmingham 0–0 Southampton (Championship)
- 18/09/2011 — Southampton 4–1 Birmingham (Championship)
Birmingham City vs Southampton — Playing XI (Predicted Lineups)
Birmingham City (4-2-3-1)
Allsop; Laird, Klarer, Davies, Cochrane; Paik, Iwata; Miyoshi, Willumsson, Gray; Stansfield
Southampton (4-3-3)
McCarthy; Walker-Peters, Harwood-Bellis, Bednarek, Manning; Downes, Aribo, Fernandes; Fraser, Armstrong, Archer
Birmingham City vs Southampton — Impact Bench
Birmingham City: Wright (Pace late on), Dykes (Physical option)
Southampton: Edozie (Direct dribbling), Diaz (Goal threat)
Birmingham City vs Southampton — Tactical Analysis
Birmingham City
Playing at St. Andrew’s, Birmingham will try to control possession, but their recent defensive frailty (conceding 3 vs Sheffield Utd and 3 vs Southampton) is a major concern. They rely heavily on Jay Stansfield’s movement and Demarai Gray’s creativity. Against Southampton’s possession game, Birmingham must be disciplined in their pressing or risk being picked apart in midfield.
Southampton
Russell Martin’s (or current manager’s) philosophy remains possession-heavy. Southampton dominated the reverse fixture (3–1) by overloading the midfield and releasing Adam Armstrong in behind. They will look to do the same here. Their weakness is defending counter-attacks, which Birmingham’s wide players (Miyoshi/Gray) could exploit if Saints commit too many bodies forward.
Birmingham City vs Southampton — Key Battles
- Stansfield vs Bednarek — Birmingham’s sharp shooter vs Saints’ defensive leader.
- Armstrong vs Klarer — Armstrong scored twice in the last meeting; Klarer must be tighter this time.
- Paik vs Downes — The battle for midfield tempo.
- Walker-Peters vs Gray — Elite full-back vs elite winger; a fascinating duel on the flank.
Birmingham City vs Southampton — Spotlight Players
Birmingham City — Jay Stansfield
The striker is the only consistent source of goals for the Blues. In a game where chances might be limited, his clinical finishing is Birmingham’s best hope of a result.
Southampton — Adam Armstrong
He loves playing against Birmingham (scored in the last meeting). His pace and relentless running make him a constant nuisance for Championship defenders. If he finds space, he will score.
Birmingham City vs Southampton — Prediction
Birmingham City 1–2 Southampton
Birmingham are in a slump and facing a team that beat them convincingly less than a month ago. Southampton’s attack (36 goals scored) is simply more potent than Birmingham’s defense can handle right now. Expect a competitive game, but the Saints should have enough quality to complete the league double over the Blues.
Birmingham City vs Southampton — Betting Insights
- Southampton to Win — Value Bet
- Over 2.5 Goals — Likely (Fixture history: 3-1, 4-3, 3-4 scores recently)
- Adam Armstrong to Score — High Probability
Birmingham City vs Southampton — Where to Watch
- UK: Sky Sports Football
- International: iFollow / Saints Play
Birmingham City vs Southampton — FAQs
Q: When is the Birmingham vs Southampton match?
A: The match kicks off on Monday, 29 December 2025, at 20:00 GMT.
Q: Who won the last match between them?
A: Southampton won 3–1 on 6 December 2025.
Q: Is this a local derby?
A: No, but it is a clash between two historic clubs with recent Premier League pedigree.
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