Seagulls’ weekend odds - Birmingham

Manager Gus Poyet was delighted to earn six valuable points from road trips to Watford and Millwall and with two home fixtures at the AMEX on the horizon there are genuine grounds for optimism.

With Craig Mackail-Smith limping off at Millwall, strike partner Ashley Barnes netted the opener to take his tally to three this term and earn him a 5/1 quote from BetVictor to top the Albion Championship scoring charts.

Smith is expected to sit out the next two fixtures which gives Barnes chance to close the three goal gap further on the 1/3 favourite.

Albion have shortened to 8/1 to win the Championship title this term and, having been friendless in the market before their recent run, punters have finally started parting with their cash and supported Albion.

Promotion odds are into 9/4 and the 5/2 BetVictor offered to finish in the top six before the Sheffield Wednesday fixture now looks tremendous value with 4/6 the quote on that eventuality.

Saturday’s visitors Birmingham arrive on the back of a humiliating 5-0 home reverse against Barnsley played out in front of Sky Sports viewers.

Manger Lee Clark looked visibly shaken during the post match interviews and some shrewd punters snapped up all the 14/1 on him been the next to go in our next Championship manager to leave market.

Clark is currently 4/1 behind under-fire Ipswich gaffer Paul Jewell on 3/1 and Blackburn manager Steve Kean the 2-1 favourite.

Bookmakers suspended the market earlier this week amid reports that Kean’s tenure at the club was coming to an end but another stay of execution was granted although punters continue to support him to depart.

The Seagulls are likely to have been replaced at the top of the table come kick off Saturday with their game subject to a teatime start and the early

Even money has evaporated after strong support and they are now 5/6 to maintain their winning spree and send the visitors home with the Blues. Birmingham are 18/5 with the draw 5/2. Barnes is 11/2 to open the scoring and 7/4 to net at anytime.