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Wayne Rooney fighting to save his job at Birmingham
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Nothing much is going right for Wayne Rooney's struggling Birmingham, and the last thing they need now is the visit of in-form Bristol City.
The Robins have won three on the spin to close in on a play-off spot, while Rooney has collected just nine points from 13 games and is facing calls for his job already.
Bristol City's win at Watford was their first on the road in seven and Rooney will no doubt have his side fired up for a must-win encounter, but whoever wins the best bets here could be surrounding what should be a feisty encounter.
Leg 1: Birmingham most cards
As we've said, Rooney will have been getting stuck into his side after their Boxing Day defeat by Stoke, so they'll definitely come out swinging at St Andrews.
Blues have seen plenty of cards this season, with 59 yellows only three teams have more and certainly that's more than Bristol City's 40 - which puts them just one above the Championship's nice guys Leeds and Cardiff.
So given not only those stats but the circumstances then we're happy to back the hosts to have more cards at 11/82.38.
Leg 2: Bacuna to be shown a card
Given Birmingham will be fighting for their lives - and possibly Rooney's job, that fight will usually start in the engine room in midfield.
And setting the tone in midfield is Juninho Bacuna, who has seen nine yellow cards this season, including in his last two matches.
Bacuna is 2/13.00 to be shown a card here and that's not bad for someone who will be hunting down Bristol City and has given away 41 fouls this season.
Opta stats: Best Championship tips for Friday
Recommended bets
Back Birmingham more cards than Bristol City & Bacuna card @ 4/15.00COLUMN P/L 2023/24
Staked: 134ptsReturned: 149.7pts
P/L: +15.7pts
2022/23 P/L: +68.69pts