• Stoke have won three of their four league matches this season

• Birmingham have kept just one clean sheet across their last seven fixtures

• Recommended bet: Stoke draw no bet

Birmingham are eager to push for another promotion, but they were beaten 2-0 at Leicester last time out and face another tough challenge when they visit highflying Stoke in the Championship on Saturday.

Given the extent of their summer spending, it is obvious that Birmingham have no intention of sticking around in the second tier any longer than necessary.

However, the Blues face a learning curve and need to iron out the deficiencies which were on show in their loss at the King Power Stadium.

Birmingham will need to be respectful of Stoke, who are two points above them in the table.

The Potters won their opening three league matches before their 100 percent record disappeared with a 1-0 loss at home to West Brom last time out.

The latest Stoke vs Birmingham odds are available on LiveScore Bet

Team news

Stoke are boosted by the availability of midfielder Tomas Rigo, who recently joined them from Banik Ostrava. Lamine Cisse (shoulder) is fully recovered and Steven Nzonzi and Sam Gallagher are edging closer to full match fitness.

The away side must assess Jay Stansfield (knock), who was unavailable for their 2-0 loss at Leicester before the international break. Demarai Gray suffered a bang on the shoulder against the Foxes but has been given the all clear to continue. Lee Buchanan and Scott Wright (both knee) are long-term absentees.

The latest Stoke vs Birmingham odds are available on LiveScore Bet

The stats

Stoke have scored two or more goals in three of their four league fixtures this season.

Both teams have scored in four of the last five matches between these two sides.

Birmingham have lost their last two matches, one in the league and one in the Carabao Cup, without getting on the scoresheet.

Each of Birmingham’s last eight games have generated less than three goals.

The latest Stoke vs Birmingham odds are available on LiveScore Bet

Prediction

Stoke have made an encouraging start to the season and can make it four league wins from five by defeating Birmingham at the bet365 Stadium.

The Potters have registered seven successive bottom-half finishes and struggled for large parts of last season before finishing two points above the relegation zone.

However, they had high hopes for their first full season under Mark Robins and have delivered some impressive performances to date, including a superb 2-1 success at highly-rated Southampton.

The Potters are playing high-tempo football and can offer a stern challenge to Birmingham, who hit a bump in the road with their 2-0 loss at Leicester.

Birmingham were in a class of their own in League One last season, but they are much more vulnerable in the Championship and may have to digest a second successive league defeat.

Back Stoke draw no bet at 59/50 with LiveScore Bet

The latest Stoke vs Birmingham odds are available on LiveScore Bet