Birmingham City host Northampton Town this weekend as they seek to regain the top spot in League One ahead of Wycombe Wanderers and manager Chris Davies is expecting a tough afternoon despite the Cobblers sitting in 18th place heading into the fixture.
The teams had contrasting fortunes in the FA Cup first round as Birmingham City edged past Sutton United but Northampton Town were beaten after extra-time at home to non-league Kettering Town.
Northampton Town Remain a Threat Despite Poor Away Record
The Cobblers have won just once on the road from their opening six trips in League One this season. That was a 3-1 win at Huddersfield Town and apart from a heavy defeat at Wrexham, Northampton have remained competitive in each of their away fixtures.
In their most recent outing against Lincoln City they took an early lead through Tarique Fosu but Tyler Roberts’ second-half red card contributed to the Imps scoring a late winner to take all three points. A 1-0 defeat to Bristol Rovers in August followed a similar story, with the hosts scoring in second-half stoppage time to seal three points.
Jon Brady’s side have relied on home comforts picking up three of their four league wins at Sixfields Stadium. Performance levels have been a concern at times as they have the fourth-worst expected goals-against record and are just four points above the relegation zone heading into the weekend.
They have struggled to pose much of a goal threat on occasions and will need a season-best performance to pick up a result at Birmingham City but Davies is weary of the threat provided by the away side this weekend.
Birmingham City Boss Warns Against Complacency
Despite the fixture heavily leaning towards a home win due to both sides’ records this season and the depth of talent available to the Birmingham City manager, Davies is aware of the potential threat posed by the opposition this weekend. According to the Northampton Chronicle, he said:
“I am expecting a really good atmosphere on Saturday, but we have to help energise the crowd with our performance on the field. I have said to the lads this week: ‘The fans are coming to watch you because they believe in what you are doing and how you are playing, they want to come and see their team now.’
It would be a surprise if the Blues do not pick up all three points after winning five and drawing one of their opening six matches at St. Andrew’s in League One. After a heavy outlay in the summer, they appear to have one of the best squads ever assembled in the third tier and look to be favourites to win the title this season. The next step on that path is at home to Northampton.