Match Preview: Birmingham City vs Reading - Expert Analysis

Birmingham City join League One by hosting Reading on Saturday as the Blues look to return to the Championship at the first attempt this season. This used to be a regular Championship fixture, so seeing these sides both meet in League One shows how many clubs are now falling down in the EFL. Reading don't have a lot of optimisim surrounding them currently but Birmingham still have hope that they can get promoted back to second tier.

Birmingham City vs Reading Standings

Birmingham City were relegated from the Championship last season on the final day thanks Blackburn winning on the final day away against the Championship Champions Leicester City. Birmingham finished the championship season with 50 points, getting 13 wins, 11 draws and 22 draws.

Reading struggled a lot last season with a lot of off the pitch issues concerning their ownership. They finished League One last season with 16 wins, 11 draws and 19 losses making them finish 17th, alongside a six-point deduction at the hands of the EFL.

Birmingham City vs Reading head to head

Birmingham City 2-1 Reading - 17 Mar 2021

Birmingham City 1-2 Reading - 06 Nov 2021

Reading 2-1 Birmingham City - 22 Feb 2022

Birmingham City 3-2 Reading - 16 Dec 2022

Reading 1-1 Birmingham City - 07 Apr 2023

Birmingham City vs Reading top scorers

Birmingham City 2023/24

1. Jay Stansfield - 12 goals
2. Jordan James - 8 goals
3. Juninho Bacuna - 7 goals

Reading 2023/24

1. Sam Smith - 15 goals
2. Harvey Knibbs - 11 goals
3. Lewis Wing - 10 goals

Birmingham City vs Reading Team News

Birmingham City are without left-back Lee Buchanan thanks to a Calfinjury which will see him miss up to 8 weeks while Alfie Chang is recovering from knee injury he suffered a year ago.

Birmingham City vs Reading Predicted Line-ups

Birmingham City: Bailey Peacock-Farrell; Ethan Laird, Dion Sanderson, Krystian Bielik, Alex Cochrane; Paik Seung-ho, Jordan James, Kōji Miyoshi, Willum Þór Willumsson, Siriki Dembélé; Alfie May.

Reading: Joel Castro Pereira; Ben Elliot, Amadou Mbengue, Harlee Dean, Kelvin Abrefa; Lewis Wing, Michael Craig, Femi Azeez, Harvey Knibbs; Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan, Sam Smith.

Birmingham City vs Reading Player to Watch

Sam Smith is our player to watch for this match after getting 15 goals in League One last season for Reading. The 26 year old forward got 0.5 g/a per 90 last season meaning every two 90 minutes he completed he got a goal or an assists. With these stats in mind we think Sam Smith will have some involvement in Saturday's match.

Where can I watch Birmingham City vs Reading?

You can watch this game from the UK on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football.