After finishing 17th in 2022-23, the team had hoped to improve under John Eustace this season. Despite a good start to the season, three management changes, and numerous games later, the club’s position in the division is now jeopardised.
With only a few weeks left in the season, Blues fans hope for the best.
One positive for the club is that they have already faced Southampton twice this season.
That may sound like an odd statement to make, but the Saints are one of four teams vying for automatic promotion this season, and they have a star player in Adam Armstrong, who has had a very successful history versus the Blues over the years.
In fact, according to Transfermarkt, Armstrong has scored the most goals against the club of any player currently participating in professional football.
Armstrong has scored nine goals against the Blues over the years, joining legends such as Jimmy Greaves (12), Denis Law (10) and Sir Bobby Robson (9).
Armstrong’s goalscoring exploits against the Blues began while with Blackburn Rovers, as he scored his first goal in a 202 draw at Ewood Park back in December 2018.
Two goalless games against the club followed, but since then, the Blues have had a nightmare of a time against Armstrong.
Armstrong scored against Birmingham City in December 2019, aiding Blackburn to another draw at Ewood Park. He then scored a single goal in his next two games against the club, one of which was in the FA Cup the following month.
Armstrong’s greatest match versus came at Ewood Park on the final day of the 2020/21 season, when the forward scored a hat-trick in Blackburn’s 5-2 victory.
Perhaps thankfully for Birmingham, Armstrong was then promoted to the Premier League, so the Blues did not have to face him for several seasons.
However, following Southampton’s relegation to the Championship last summer, the Blues have faced Armstrong twice this season.
Unsurprisingly, Armstrong scored in both games.
In fact, he produced a goal and an assist in a 3-1 win in October, as well as a rollercoaster 4-3 victory in February.
Overall, given Adam Armstrong’s success against Birmingham City throughout the years, the club must be weary of seeing him.
Not only has he regularly scored against the club, but he has only lost once to the Blues in his career.
In that regard, with the Blues in relegation trouble, they will be relieved to have already faced Southampton and Armstrong twice this season.
With Southampton as prospective promotion candidates, Birmingham City would benefit greatly from a return to the top flight.
