Arsenal v Birmingham preview

Given that Arsenal have won just one of their last seven away games - a 0-1 victory at Charlton on Boxing Day - I am slightly miffed as to why they are odds-on to beat Birmingham at St Andrews on Saturday. Fresh from suffering defeat at home to West Ham at Highbury in midweek - and still reeling from being knocked out of both the Carling Cup and the FA Cup - Arsenal really out of sorts at present. Even the return of their talisman, Thierry Henry, wasn't enough to see them repel the challenge of the Hammers on home soil and, with the ongoing - protracted even - saga continuing regarding Henry's future at the club, things just aren't going according to plan. In contrast, Birmingham are starting to get their act together following a woeful start to the campaign. They were unlucky when they went to Highbury last October when an 81st-minute Clemence own goal was all that separated sides. Furthermore, the Blues have won three of their last four home games - not conceding in any of the matches in question - and come into this game on the back of a highly creditable display at Anfield in midweek when coming away with a point. Arsenal's defence continues to look decidedly shaky and, given that Birmingham stuck five past Portsmouth in their last home fixture, I reckon that Steve Bruce's men will go into this match fancying their chances. At 3-1, Birmingham are well worth backing to win the match in the outright market.