Preston North End — Birmingham City : Match Preview and Prediction for October 21,2025

Preston’s Home Advantage

“Deepdale” truly stands as a fortress. Since the beginning of last season, Preston has suffered fewer home defeats than any other team consistently playing in this division. This is a significant point in their favor.

Recent Performance and Defensive Concerns

However, their recent away trip to West Bromwich highlighted specific issues. The final score of 2:1 in favor of the opponent is important, but what truly matters is that both teams found the net. Preston created ample opportunities, registering 17 shots on goal, with 5 of them on target.

Coach’s Acknowledgment of Defensive Weaknesses

Head coach Paul Heckingbottom himself admitted after the match that their defensive performance could have been much better. In my opinion, this directly indicates that their defensive unit isn’t operating perfectly. Furthermore, the overall trend points towards open play, as both sides have scored in 13 out of Preston’s last 19 matches.

Birmingham’s Rollercoaster Form

Birmingham currently exhibits a team of extremes. A four-match winless streak and 17th place in the table paint a bleak picture. However, a deeper dive reveals significant attacking potential.

Offensive Prowess Despite Losses

Their last game against Hull City serves as a prime example. Yes, they lost 2:3, but they unleashed 28 shots on goal, with 8 of them on target! Their Expected Goals (xG) metric stood at 2.22 – these are numbers indicative of a team capable of creating danger. Jay Stansfield, who scored both goals, is in excellent form.

Critical Defensive Weaknesses

At the same time, the “Blues'” defense raises serious concerns. In the match against Hull, key defender Jack Robinson received a red card, his second of the season, and will now miss four games. Considering Birmingham has conceded 9 goals in their last 5 league fixtures and lost three of their last four away matches, the absence of a primary central defender is a monumental problem.