Birmingham contrived to waste a number of chances in an otherwise dominant performance on Boxing Day, but a sending off from their captain contributed to the feeling of desperation around St. Andrew’s.

However, the overall display was a positive one in many ways, and the arrival of Southampton into town, a big game for the fans to get behind the team with, could, in fact, help Chris Davies. Southampton themselves are finding the next step difficult to take and are currently marooned in mid-table.

We have a list of the Best Free Bets for this week's matches, as well as plenty more Football Tips.

You can also see the best Birmingham v Southampton Betting Stats ahead of kick-off.

✚ Add picks to your betslip to place bets directly on Andy's Bet Club.

📈 Birmingham v Southampton Form & Stats

In previewing Birmingham's Boxing Day televised fixture against Derby, I wondered whether the Blues were something of a one-trick pony in being unable to change games. They did manage to come back from a goal down on this occasion, but there was still a profligacy in front of goal that would've frustrated the home fans, as well as the head coach. I find it difficult to criticise the coach too harshly when he has sent out a team that has generated over 3 xG versus less than 1 xG in return.

It is no win in five now, and a run like that will always make your position in the Championship look bad. They are currently in 15th, and with the second largest underperformance by position against expected points in the whole league. They are behind Sheffield United by one position, and ahead of Blackburn Rovers by one position too.

Southampton took six wins from seven matches under Tonda Eckert in his interim spell in charge, but the Saints have now slipped back into midtable with no wins in three. Ironically, the last two matches have actually seen Southampton win the xG battle, which they hadn’t done in many of their actual wins in recent times. There is still something of a performance issue to be sorted by Saints; whilst they are very dangerous going forward, they continue to look unbalanced and concede too many goals.

Midtable is fitting for Southampton, judging by their recent performances. They are ranked 12th in their xG ratio over that period of time. For them to kick on, they need to improve on conceding 1.32 xGA per match, which is their current number for the season.

📔 Birmingham v Southampton Formation & Team News

There may be some rotation in Davies’ 4-2-3-1. Christoph Klarer will serve a one-match suspension after his two yellow cards against Derby, so Phil Neumann may come in there. Alfons Sampsted was brought in from the cold, given Birmingham's full back issues, and did enough to suggest he could be an option for this match.

Further issues from the Derby match saw Demarai Gray go off injured, and whilst it doesn’t seem like this will be a long-term issue, he is unlikely to be available here. Chris Davies has already ruled out switching to a back five, so he is likely to stick to his usual formation, but make some replacement changes from the bench.

Southampton will probably stick to their 3-4-3 shape, but their reliance on Leo Scienza, Finn Azaz, and Adam Armstrong might be tested over this festive period. Jay Robinson, Ryan Fraser, and Cameron Archer are all fit and available to use in those slots at the top of the pitch.

There are no more injuries to concern Tonda Eckert, only fitness to manage over this busy time. Rotation could occur in the wing-back positions, and Cam Bragg could get a recall in the centre of midfield having broken into the senior squad under Eckert.

🔮 Football Predictions at Andy's Bet Club

Keep up with our Sports Betting Tips, including EFL Predictions for this weekend, on Andy's Bet Club.

For Monday's football, we have EFL Accumulator Tips and Coventry v Ipswich Bet Builder Predictions.

Now that the World Cup 2026 draw has been made, the competition is edging closer. On ABC, you can expect World Cup Betting Tips & Bet Builders, as well as all the Best World Cup Free Bets.

There's a full list of the Best Free Bet Offers on-site, as well as the Best Odds Boosts. We recommend the Sky Bet Sign Up Promotion, SBK Free Bet Offer and the Boylesports New Customer Offer.

* I recommend waiting for confirmed team line-ups before placing any bets.

* All odds displayed correct at the time of publishing.