Birmingham vs Newcastle Predictions

• Birmingham have failed to score once since early October
• The hosts have won seven of their last eight home matches
• Newcastle have seen both teams score in three of their last four games
• The Magpies have won their last five away games, four of which have come by 2+ goals

Newcastle chase more cup success

Newcastle beat Arsenal 4-0 on aggregate on Wednesday night to wrap up a place in the Carabao Cup final, but focus turns to the FA Cup on Saturday. The Magpies are heavy favourites to see off third-tier Birmingham as they look for another run to Wembley.

Eddie Howe’s side saw off League Two Bromley in the last round but they did get an early scare in that clash when they went 1-0 down at home. Now they head to a Birmingham side who have undergone a remarkable transformation, with an unprecedented spending spree for a League One side. Can that lead to them claiming a cup scalp?

Interesting test for Blues

Birmingham lost 2-0 at home to Fulham in the Carabao Cup back in August, but that was mid-transfer window as their side will still coming together. The team has gelled to move four points clear at the top of League One with a couple of games in hand.

The Blues head into this contest having won seven of their previous eight games, so they’ll hardly be short on confidence despite the gulf between the two sides. The hosts should also pack a scoring threat, as they’ve drawn a blank only once since early October.

Birmingham have won 11 of their last 13 home matches and they can consider this something of a free hit in a campaign squarely focused on promotion out of League One.

Another high-scoring victory for visitors

Newcastle have won their previous five away trips and they can continue that fine form on Saturday. The Magpies have scored 13 times in that run, which has seen them win at Manchester United, Tottenham and Arsenal.

The visitors have won four of those five games by multiple goals and even with a rotated side they should have too much for the Blues. While the visitors are backed for a few goals, the hosts should be able to hurt a rotated Newcastle defence.

The visitors have conceded in three of their last four and couldn’t keep a clean sheet at home to Bromley, so back a confident Birmingham side to find the net in a defeat.