July 9 2006

Julian Gray

With less than a month before another season full of optimism and hope begins, Danny Hayes profiles the other 23 sides in the Championship.

Starting with the promotion hopefuls, then a couple of potential dark horses, especially for those people who fancy a flutter on the division and don’t want to back Palace.

Then it will be those usual suspects languishing in mid-table and finally the sides that are set to be in for a long struggling season.

Birmingham

I hate to say this but Birmingham have all the credentials for a successful season, they have kept the core of their squad from last season and added a couple of players proven at this level. But this sounds awfully familiar.

Palace were in an almost identical situation 12 months ago and failed to adapt to life in the Championship and there is a chance that Birmingham could follow suit. Having plied their trade in the top division for the past four seasons they may struggle to find easy wins in the Championship straight away.

But for the Palace faithful there is a lot more at stake than just the three points, a rivalry has developed, that started between the chairmen of both clubs and has spread to the fans.

To say since Steve Bruce’s acrimonious switch to Birmingham, Simon Jordan and the two Birmingham chairmen have not seen eye to eye is a massive understatement.

And there is no doubt that this was the first fixture that Palace fans sought after when the fixture lists were produced so the two games promise to be hotly contested matches with a fierce rivalry at stake.

Their Squad

Birmingham’s obvious strength lies in their attacking line-up, with Forsell upfront they have a player who could wreck havoc at this level. He had a successful period with Palace at this level and now a more experienced striker could be a good bet for top-scorer in the division.

And with the acquisition of Cameron Jerome, a player I feel Palace should have sought after, have the makings of a very successful partnership upfront.

Birmingham also have an attacking threat from the wings in Jermiane Pennant and Julian Gray, Gray already a proven success at this level and Pennant a player that has finally fulfilled some of his potential over the last year.

If Birmingham can keep hold of him then those forward four are sure to score goals at this level. The rest of their midfield is solid and the purchase of Neil Danns from Colchester could prove a very useful addition to their squad.

The back-line also looks strong, a player of Matthew Upson’s quality, although absolutely useless when on loan at Palace, is too good for the Championship.

And with players such as Bruno N’Gotty and Maik Taylor they have a good level of experience that should prove essential for them.

Probable Starting XI

Maik Taylor

Stephen Kelly Bruno N’Gotty Matthew Upson Matthew Sadler

Jermaine Pennant Neil Danns David Dunn Julian Gray

Cameron Jerome Mikeal Forsell

Previous Meetings

26/02/05 Crystal Palace 2-0 Birmingham

30/10/04 Birmingham 0-1 Crystal Palace

01/04/02 Crystal Palace 0-0 Birmingham

11.12/01 Birmingham 1-0 Crystal Palace

When We Meet this Season

19/08/2006 – Away

17/02/2007 - Home

Prediction for the Season

For me Birmingham will be a strong proposition throughout the season, but they should take notes from where Palace failed last season.

There are many similarities between the two clubs so Birmingham are a sound bet to make the playoffs where there quality might just pull them through, but they are defiantly not worth backing as the favourites for the division.