Our prediction for this Championship match:
Birmingham City
Match Time & Date:
17/03/2021
20:45
Prediction: 1-0
Reading
Birmingham City and Reading face each other in a highly-anticipated game at St. Andrew’s Stadium on day 37 of the current Championship campaign. The Blues aim to make amends for back-to-back defeats to Barnsley and Bristol City, and seeing that their Championship status is in great danger, we are positive that the hosts will leave their hearts on the field.
The Royals, on the other hand, have been in a fine form of late, with the team recording three wins in the previous six league fixtures. Reading are eager to retain their spot in top six, and they should take advantage of Birmingham City’s poor form. Ivan Sanchez is rated doubtful for the hosts, while Felipe Araruna, John Swift, Andy Rinomhota, and Michael Morrison are injured for the visiting team. Ovie Ejaria will be assessed ahead of the kick-off.
Highlighted Player (Maikel Kieftenbeld):
Maikel Kieftenbeld is a defensive midfielder who plays for Birmingham City. The Dutch footballer was born on 26 June, 1990 and he made his senior debut for Go Ahead Eagles on 8 August 2008. Kieftenbeld played 63 matches for Go Ahead Eagles and scored three goals for the Dutch team.
After ending his spell with the Adelaarshorts outfit, he joined Groningen on 17 June, 2010 on a four-year deal. The Eredivisie club paid a €300,000 fee for the midfielder and it has to be noted that he spent five years at Euroborg stadium. Maikel Kieftenbeld then signed a three-year contract with Birmingham City for an undisclosed fee. The Dutch footballer scored three goals in 42 appearances for the Blues in the 2015/2016 Championship campaign.
Kieftenbeld was born in Dalfsen where he attended Heilig Hartschool. His mother Anja played volleyball, while his father Joop worked as a football coach. The Birmingham City midfielder is well known for his ability to pass the ball quickly to his teammates, but for his hard tackles as well.
Highlighted Team (Reading):
Reading FC is a professional football club that play in the Championship. The club was formed in 1871 and Madejski Stadium has been the home of Reading since 1998. The Royals used to play their home games at Elm Park in the past (1896 - 1998). Reading made it to the FA Cup semi-finals on two occasions (1927, 2015), but they have yet to win the prestigious trophy.
The likes of Robin Friday, Trevor Senior, Steve Death, Shaka Hislop, Phil Parkinson, Alf Messer, Jimmy Quinn, Michael Gilkes, Ronnie Blackman, Pavel Pogrebnyak and Martin Hicks are some of their more notable footballers. Aldershot Town were considered Reading’s fiercest rivals, but the Shots went out of business in 1992.
Seeing that Aldershot rejoined the league in 2008 it remains to be seen if the rivalry is going to be re-established in near future. Swindon Town and Oxford United are considered Reading’s big rivals as well.
Fulham 
Ipswich 
AS Roma
Lazio
