Birmingham City did just enough in 2017-18 to avoid relegation. The second city club finished just five points above the relegation zone thanks to five wins in its last nine matches.
Birmingham's great end of the season performance was down to manager Garry Monk, who oversaw the Blues' great escape. Now, Birmingham are looking to capitalise on their end to 2017-18 and make a run at the promotion playoffs. Norwich City finished in midtable obscurity last term. Manager Daniel Farke will hope he can get his new-look team into the playoffs this season.
Monk's team has only picked up two preseason wins and finished off their preparations with a 1-1 draw against Brighton. Birmingham's biggest problem last term was their lack of goals. The Blues scored a league-low 38 goals and was still bringing in possible strikers on trial up until the end of the term. This season has seen Birmingham bring in just one player of significance. Kristian Pedersen has arrived from Union Berlin, but the left sided player will do little to rectify the team's scoring problems. Birmingham are currently banned from signing and registering new players as the Blues have been found guilty of breaching the Championship's financial rules.
Norwich have overhauled their playing squad. Nine players have arrived at Carrow Road with the most significant being goalkeeper Tim Krul. Several of the club's highest paid players were sold or released over the summer including midfielder James Maddison. Norwich received more than £22 million for Maddison from Leicester City.
Farke's side have fared decently in preseason with five wins from eight games. The team did lose their final friendly match against Charlton, 1-0. Norwich performed well on the road last term. The team won 28 of 69 points last season on the road. Yet, the club finished out the year without winning any of their last six matches away from Carrow Road.
Birmingham are the slight favourite with top sportsbooks. The club's great finish last season will help it this term. However, Birmingham's lack of goals from a season ago don't look to have been remedied. Despite the Blues' inability to bring in new strikers to score goals, Monk has done a lot with them in his short time at St. Andrews. Birmingham may not reach the promotion playoffs, but the Blues will kickstart their season with a win over Norwich in the season's curtain raiser.