Pundits predict: Birmingham City v Newcastle United

Birmingham City take on Newcastle United on Saturday in the Championship, and HITC pundits give their predictions on the likely outcome.

Dan Coombs

Birmingham City 0-4 Newcastle United

A 4-0 loss to Newcastle sparked the Blues disastrously deciding to sack Gary Rowett earlier in the season. A repeat scoreline beckons for a side which have performed poorly under Gianfranco Zola.

Birmingham manager Gianfranco Zola

Danny Owen

Birmingham City 0-2 Newcastle United

Newcastle’s home record may leave a lot to be desired but they are a different beast entirely on the road. One that will rip into a Birmingham City side who appear to be sleepwalking towards relegation unless Gianfranco Zola can muster a response.

Newcastle United’s Jonjo Shelvey celebrates with the Newcastle fans

Alfie Potts-Harmer

Birmingham City 0-2 Newcastle United

Newcastle may have faltered in their last two outings, but the Magpies away form has been exceptional. Birmingham are a mess under Gianfranco Zola, and have won just 2 of their last 10. Up against by far the most formidable away team in the division, it should be a routine win for Rafa Benitez’s men in their quest for a return to the Premier League.

Vincent Ralph

Birmingham City 1-2 Newcastle United

Newcastle simply cannot afford to drop more points as they bid to keep both Brighton and Huddersfield at bay, so their manager Rafa Benitez will have been drilling them in training to ensure they secure another big victory this weekend.

Che Thomas

Birmingham City 0-3 Newcastle United

Birmingham are so poor right now under Zola, and Rafa Benitez will ensure Newcastle are back at their best after a couple of disappointing results. The Magpies just have too much quality in attacking areas.

Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez

Aiden Cusick

Birmingham City 0-3 Newcastle United

Iffy at home but formidable away, Newcastle should bounce back from last week’s crushing by Fulham. Birmingham have struggled to get anything right since mid-December time, and this could be the game which finally prompts those upstairs to admit their mistake – at Zola’s expense.

David Davis celebrates scoring