Exclusive: Stan Collymore makes daring Championship promotion predictions for Birmingham City and West Brom

Birmingham City and West Bromwich Albion will come to blows on several occasions next season as both West Midlands clubs challenge for promotion, believes iconic former Premier League striker Stan Collymore.

Blues and Albion will both be targeting at least a top-six finish in the Championship in 2025-26 and Collymore reckons it’s not beyond the realms of possibility that they do just that, even with the immensely competitive nature of the second tier. Who is the likeliest to rise to the Premier League, though, and what transfers could make the difference?

Well, Collymore, who racked up 163 English top-flight appearances during spells at Liverpool, Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest, Leicester City, Bradford City and Crystal Palace, thinks it’s a very close call with one of the two teams just about having the edge.

“It’s a toss of a coin really,” Collymore exclusively told Birmingham World, via NewBettingOffers.co.uk. “In terms of Albion, they’re obviously in the division and just missed out. They’ve got a new manager, he’s a young manager who will need some help, Ryan Mason. I think he’ll go on to become a very good manager actually but it’s his first real job at a club and the supporters are expecting to go up.

“One of their main rivals is going to be Birmingham, who got 111 points last season. The momentum is with them, the new football, the new sports zone in Birmingham… everything seems to be very positive around Birmingham City at the moment.”

Collymore: West Brom and Birmingham will fight over two major transfers

Not only will Albion and Blues be challenging one another in the table, but Collymore reckons the two rivals will be contesting for the same players in the transfer market. Who goes where could ultimately determine who finishes above who, especially in the case of one potential loan signing.

“I think Albion just need finishing touches really, as was proven last season,” Collymore added. “Rumours are that Nat Phillips - technically still a Liverpool player who was at Derby last season - will be a good option for the level. Harry Toffolo has been rumoured with both, but particularly with Albion.

“Then there’s this one of Mikey Moore from Spurs. I think both should go for him, really. He could add significantly to both teams. I think we’ll see both clubs go for similar players. I know Birmingham have let some go and they were very clever last season, they had a lot of loans they have now turned permanent this season.

“I’m really looking forward to seeing the likes of Iwata - he had a great season last season - and Jay Stansfield, whether he can get 20 goals for Birmingham.”

Collymore: Blues to beat Albion to automatic promotion

Albeit a close fight, Collymore thinks Birmingham could just about have the edge. As controversial as it is considering Blues were only just promoted from League One, Collymore believes that Chris Davies’ side have what it takes to leapfrog the Baggies immediately.

“It really is 50-50. The good thing for Midlands football is I think they will both be there or thereabouts. I think it will be a little bit difficult for Birmingham just to go into the division and blitz it like they did last season but I think that any club that has a quality goalkeeper, quality central defender, quality central midfielder and quality striker is going to be there or thereabouts.

“So, I’m going to go Birmingham – just. A lot will depend on this Mikey Moore transfer. I think he could make a significant difference at that level of football. I’ll just say Birmingham City, I think that they will contest the top two or three positions. I can see one going up as of right and one going via the play-offs,” Collymore concluded.

Do you believe with Collymore’s bold prediction? Let us know in the comments section.