On Saturday afternoon, Birmingham and Brentford kick-off their Championship season 2020/21 campaign.
Birmingham finished last season just two points clear of the relegation zone. The Blues will be looking for a much more comfortable campaign this time around.
Their cause was not helped by a 14-game winless run at the end of last season. That run included losing six of their final seven Championship games. A key factor in Birmingham’s poor end of season results was their leaky defence, as the Midlands club conceded at least two goals in five of their last seven matches.
Even home advantage has not helped the home team pick up points, as City have now failed to win in eight Championship games at St Andrew's. They have also suffered defeat in three of their last four league games on home soil.
Birmingham’s defence has been woeful in the Championship of late on home soil, as they have conceded at least three goals in six of their previous seven matches.
Brentford finished just two points outside the automatic promotion spots, then suffered a play-off final defeat against Fulham.
A terrible run of form towards the end of the second-tier campaign cost them automatic promotion, as they won just one of their last five Championship games, including suffering three defeats in 90 minutes and one in extra time.
The Bees finished as the Championships top scorers last season. However, they have lost top scorer Ollie Watkins to Premier League Aston Villa. The signing of prolific lower league striker Ivan Toney may negate the forward's loss, though.
Thomas Frank’s team were not great away from home at the end of the last campaign, winning just three of their final eight games on their travels.
Forebet predicts that Brentford will improve on that poor away record by recording a victory in a high-scoring encounter.