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Wrexham v Birmingham Bet Builder Tips
Our expert has put together a bet builder for Thursday’s League One clash between Wrexham and Birmingham coming in at 3/1 and 9/1.
3/1 Wrexham v Birmingham Bet Builder Level 1
9/1 Wrexham v Birmingham Bet Builder Level 2
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Level 1 Bet Builder Tip
🏆 Wrexham (+1 Handicap)
📈 Odds: 1.57
Man-for-man, Birmingham are probably the stronger of the 2 teams, however it is almost impossible to back against Wrexham in a home game. Such is their dominance at STōK Cae Ras, they will really fancy their chances of giving their top of the table opponents a real game. They have the best home record in the division, and remain unbeaten in front of their own supporters.
Also, if there is a vulnerability about The Blues then it is when they come up against the better teams at this level. Still, their record is largely excellent, but they are given more of a game. Only in 2 of their 8 meetings this season v top-8 clubs have they won by a 2+ margin, and they were both in home matches.
🚩 Over 3.5 Wrexham Corners
📈 Odds: 1.33
Set pieces are a big part of Wrexham’s offensive arsenal. They are ranked joint-6th in the division in relation to the number of goals coming via these routes. It is therefore key they gain such opportunities to get the ball into the box. This is an all-action side that will look to get the ball forward quickly and put Birmingham under pressure, so they should be able to make that count.
Phil Parkinson’s side average 4.62 corners per league clash this season. Birmingham don’t tend to concede that many, however it is largely because of how dominant they are at home. On the road it is slightly different on the corner front. They concede an average of 4.58 corners, so they are prone to the opponents having spells of pressure.
🛑 Thomas O’Connor to Commit 1+ Fouls
📈 Odds: 1.40
Thomas O’Connor will have a really important role for the home side. Birmingham should dominate possession, as they always do, so out of possession the Welsh side must be well-organised. O’Connor is a very combative player that won’t shy away from getting stuck into the action. He has recently come back into the team after a spell out injured, which is good timing for Wrexham.
In truth, the Irishman is not the biggest fouler across the team. However, he will be up against the best team in the league that is very comfortable on the ball. He will surely be put into situations that will test and stretch him individually. Against Shrewsbury last time out he committed an offence. Furthermore, O’Connor has committed a total of 5 fouls over the last 6 games in which he has started.
🛑 Christoph Klarer to Commit 1+ Fouls
📈 Odds: 1.33
Birmingham largely control every game they play in League One, however there are occasions when they can play themselves into trouble or are caught out on the counter attack. This is what Wrexham will hope for on Thursday, and one player that may target is Austrian centre back Christoph Klarer. He is ranked top in the Blues squad for number of fouls produced in league action.
He is also 1st in the Birmingham ranks in relation to the most yellow cards received. It is a strong indicator that there is a side to his game where the opponents can cause him to lash out and commit offenses. His manager possibly is happy for him to break up the game from time-to-time.
He recently served a ban for his yellow card eagerness, and this high-pressure match may again bring that dark side out of him.
Klarer has gone 8 straight games (in league and FA Cup) where he has committed a foul. Over this period, the 24-year-old averages 1.50 fouls per match.
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Level 2 Bet Builder Tip
🎯 Elliott Lee to have 1+ Shots on Target
📈 Odds: 1.83
Someone who has been a consistent performer in the Wrexham squad for a few years now is Elliot Lee. The club signed him during their National League days, in what was considered a real coup at the time.
He made light work of League Two last season and he appears more than at home in League One. The ex-Luton forward is their joint-top league scorer with 6. He returned to action last time out following an injury and will love the chance to showcase his stuff to the wider world in this big televised encounter.
Another area where Lee is joint-top in within the Wrexham squad is shots on target. He has struck 16 efforts on target in 20.0 league 90s this term. 44.44% of his league shots have hit the target across the campaign, proving how accurate he is when getting into shooting situations.
🎯 Ethan Laird to have 1+ Shots on Target
📈 Odds: 3.60
Ethan Laird has had to be patient in terms of earning starts in League One this season. The full back has begun 12 league contests this season, exactly half of Birmingham’s matches. However, he has had a little run in the team recently and there is no reason for him to drop out. He is anything but a prolific goalscorer but did find the back of the net last time out against Exeter. Now might be the time to keep him on side to have another impact offensively.
There is also no doubt Laird is an attack-minded full back. He will not be passing up the opportunity to get into advanced areas. His pace and skill will give Wrexham plenty to think about and his manager Chris Davies will encourage him to get into the final third. Laird has recorded a shot on target in 3 of his last 5 starts in the league and FA Cup, so he is increasing his offensive involvement the more minutes he plays. 3.60 represents good value here.
🛑 Ethan Laird to Commit 1+ Fouls
📈 Odds: 1.30
Laird is expected to have an attacking impact in this contest but ultimately he is a defender and will have a job to do in that direction, particularly facing a strong team like Wrexham. Given he does love to get forward, there will be times he is caught out at the back. Perhaps a tactical foul could come from him, as Wrexham will be heavily relying on counter attacks here.
The former Man United defender has form in the book regards to committing fouls as well. Only in 3 of his 18 league appearances over the campaign has he not made at least 1 foul. Against Exeter in the last match, Laird committed 4 fouls, so he is proving rather rash in that regard of late.
🎯 Birmingham to have 4+ Shots on Target
📈 Odds: 1.33
Birmingham will enjoy lots of possession in this game. They have the players to do so in an effective manager. Ultimately, they are top of the table for a reason.
In attack, they possess the players required to score the goals they need to push for the title. In matches like this, it is where they really stand up and be counted. In 17 of their 24 League One fixtures this season they’ve had 4 or more shots on target.
Wrexham are a team that is tight defensively but that is not to say they don’t have to soak up periods of pressure, even at home where they are so dominant. The Welsh side tend to keep most clubs at bay in terms of too many shots on target of their own goal, but against the stronger sides that is a little different.
Against teams such as Wycombe, Bolton, Rotherham, Charlton, Mansfield, Stockport, and, earlier in the season, Birmingham, they’ve allowed 4 or more shots on target.
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* I recommend waiting for confirmed team line-ups before placing any bets.
* All odds displayed correct at the time of publishing.
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