Preston North End 0-1 Birmingham City: Post-match review, Stats, Key moments
Dive into Ladbrokes' post-match review of Preston North End 0-1 Birmingham City in the Championship on Tuesday, 21 October 2025, with stats, key moments and our take on the match.
Preston North End 0-1 Birmingham City Post-Match Review
Well, that was a tough one for Preston North End at home, wasn't it? Despite dominating possession and having a go at it with nine corners, they couldn't find the back of the net against Birmingham City. The Blues nicked a 1-0 win, thanks to a goal in the 33rd minute, which put a dent in Preston's recent form. After a win and two draws in their last four, this loss at Deepdale was a bit of a surprise, especially considering their strong performance on paper.
Birmingham City, on the other hand, will be chuffed with this result. It's a much-needed boost after a patchy run of form, with a loss and two draws in their last four games. The away win at Preston has lifted spirits and shown they can grind out results even when not at their best. Credit where it's due, the Blues defended well and took their chance when it came, which is all you can ask for on the road.
Preston North End 0-1 Birmingham City Statistics
Looking at the stats, you'd think Preston should have walked away with something from this game. With 62% possession and nine corners to Birmingham's three, it's clear they had the lion's share of the ball. Yet, football isn't played on paper, and despite their dominance, they couldn't convert it into goals. Birmingham, with only 38% possession, managed to keep things tight at the back and hit Preston on the break.
The successful dribbles percentage also tells a story, with Preston at 50% and Birmingham at 29%. It shows Preston tried to be more adventurous, but Birmingham's disciplined approach paid off. The four yellow cards for Birmingham suggest they had to work hard to keep Preston at bay, but it was a job well done in the end.
Key Moments from Preston North End 0-1 Birmingham City
The key moment of the match came in the 33rd minute when Birmingham City scored the only goal of the game. It was a well-taken effort that shifted the momentum and put Preston on the back foot. From there, Birmingham managed to hold on, showing great resilience and organisation at the back.
For Preston, the lack of key moments in their favour was telling. Despite having more of the ball and creating chances, they couldn't find that crucial moment to level the score. The absence of any significant events from their side highlights the frustration they must have felt as the game slipped away.
Preston North End 0-1 Birmingham City Lineups
Preston North End
Preston lined up in a 3-1-4-2 formation, with Daniel Iversen in goal and a back three of Jordan Storey, Lewis Gibson, and Andrew Hughes. Ben Whiteman anchored the midfield, while Odeluga Offiah and Alistair Edward McCann provided width. Up top, Daniel Jebbison and Michael Smith led the line, but despite their efforts, they couldn't find the net.
The four substitutions made by Preston suggest they were trying to change things up, but it didn't quite work out. No standout performances from the starting XI, which is a bit of a disappointment given their dominance in possession and chances created.
Birmingham City
Birmingham opted for a 4-2-3-1 formation, with James Beadle between the sticks and a back four of Bright Osayi-Samuel, Phil Neumann, Christoph Klarer, and Alex Cochrane. Tommy Doyle and Seung-ho Paik held the midfield, with Lewis Koumas, Tomoki Iwata, and Keshi Anderson supporting Jay Stansfield up front.
The five substitutions made by Birmingham indicate they were managing the game well, bringing on fresh legs to see out the win. Jay Stansfield's contribution to the goal was crucial, and the team's overall performance was solid, especially defensively.
Ladbrokes' Man of the Match
James Beadle is our Ladbrokes' Man of the Match, and rightly so. With five saves and zero goals conceded, he was a rock at the back for Birmingham City. His two clearances and one punch also helped keep Preston at bay, showing his all-around contribution to the team's clean sheet.
Updated Form Guide
Preston North End
Recent Championship matches:
- Loss: 0-1 vs Birmingham City (H)
- Loss: 1-2 vs West Bromwich Albion (A)
- Win: 2-0 vs Charlton Athletic (H)
- Draw: 2-2 vs Hull City (A)
- Draw: 0-0 vs Bristol City (H)
Birmingham City
Recent Championship matches:
- Win: 1-0 vs Preston North End (A)
- Loss: 2-3 vs Hull City (H)
- Draw: 1-1 vs Wrexham (A)
- Draw: 2-2 vs Sheffield Wednesday (H)
- Loss: 0-3 vs Coventry City (A)
What’s Next for Both Teams?
Preston North End
Sitting in 10th place with 16 points, Preston will be looking to bounce back when they face Sheffield United, who are in 21st with 9 points, on October 24, 2025 at 20:00. This result might spur them to be more clinical in front of goal and take their chances when they come.
Birmingham City
With 15 points and in 12th place, Birmingham will take on Bristol City, who are in 4th with 19 points, on October 25, 2025 at 15:00. This win could give them the confidence to go toe-to-toe with a strong side and continue their upward trajectory.
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Odds and market details are accurate as of the time of publication.
