Stoke City welcome Birmingham City to the bet365 Stadium for a Sky Bet Championship clash that brings together two sides with contrasting starts to the 2025/26 season.
Stoke have made a statement with their attacking output and sit comfortably in the top three, while Birmingham, despite a more combative style, find themselves mid-table and looking to reverse a concerning head-to-head trend. Kick-off is set for 15:00 this Saturday, and with a lively history between the clubs, there’s plenty at stake for backers seeking value from the market.
Best Bets & Predictions
Based on Stoke’s clinical finishing and Birmingham’s tendency to keep games tight but low-scoring, here are our top betting recommendations for this match. We’re particularly confident in Stoke City on the Draw No Bet market, given their recent attacking edge and home form.
| Our Prediction | Odds & Bookmaker | Confidence | Why We’re Backing It |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stoke City Draw No Bet | 11/10 @ Bet365 (47.6%) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Backing because Stoke have scored double Birmingham’s tally and only lost once this term. |
| Both Teams to Score – Yes | 9/10 @ Betfair (52.6%) | ⭐⭐⭐ | Value here due to both teams netting in 3 of last 5 H2Hs and both averaging 1+ xG per match. |
| Birmingham City to Win | 11/8 @ Betfair (42.1%) | ⭐⭐⭐ | Strong trend shows Birmingham have won 6 of last 12 H2Hs, including the most recent at Stoke. |
| Correct Score 1-1 | 5/1 @ Bet365 (16.7%) | ⭐⭐ | Value pick – 4 of last 12 H2Hs have ended level. |
- Bet £10 get £30
- Excellent Football Betting Options
- Extensive Bet-Builder
- Multi-Award Winning Bookmaker
New customers can sign up using bonus code SQUAWKA365, bet £10 and get £30 in Free Bets. Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply. Registration Required. This code is for marketing and tracking purposes only. #Ad.
Our approach: Start with Stoke City Draw No Bet, add Both Teams to Score for accumulator potential.
Odds correct at the time of writing. Please gamble responsibly.
Season Form & Standings
The 2025/26 season to date has seen Stoke City hit the ground running – three wins from four, a +5 goal difference, and a league-high attacking output. Birmingham have been more conservative, collecting two wins and a draw, but their xG suggests they may be due a breakthrough. Here’s how the table shapes up going into this weekend:
| Team | Pos | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stoke City | 3 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 3 | 5 | 9 |
| Birmingham City | 10 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 7 |
Stoke’s recent form: WWWL. Birmingham: WDWL. Both sides have shown resilience, but Stoke’s firepower gives them an edge.
Potential Match-Winners
Neither Stoke nor Birmingham boast a league-leading striker, but both sides have players capable of turning the game:
- Samuel Gallagher (Stoke): Key attacking presence, Stoke have netted 8 in 4 games, and Gallagher is central to their high shot count (49 total attempts).
- Jay Stansfield (Birmingham): Lively in the box, he’s priced 9/2 @ Bet365 (18.2%) to score first – he’ll be their focal point for chances.
- Chinonso Chibueze (Stoke): Offers aerial threat – Stoke have two headed goals already this season, with Chibueze among the most active in the air.
- Lyndon Dykes (Birmingham): Contributes to Birmingham’s physical style, reflected in their 79 tackles and 222 duels won so far.
Expect these names to be central in any live betting and player prop markets.
Head-to-Head: Last 5 Meetings
Birmingham have had the better of this fixture lately, winning 6 of the last 12, although both teams have traded blows recently. Draws are not uncommon, with 4 stalemates in that period. Here’s a look at the last five encounters:
| Date | Score | Competition |
|---|---|---|
| 20/01/24 | Stoke City 1-2 Birmingham City | Championship |
| 26/12/23 | Birmingham City 1-3 Stoke City | Championship |
| 10/04/23 | Birmingham City 0-0 Stoke City | Championship |
| 05/11/22 | Stoke City 1-2 Birmingham City | Championship |
| 19/02/22 | Stoke City 2-2 Birmingham City | Championship |
Conclusion
Will Stoke’s sharp attack finally see off Birmingham’s stubborn resistance, or will the Blues’ recent head-to-head edge tell again? With both teams showing signs they can trouble each other, there’s every reason to back Stoke with insurance – Draw No Bet at 11/10 with Bet365 (47.6%).
Odds correct at the time of writing. Please gamble responsibly.