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You've got to hand it to Birmingham. In an era when we regularly hear top-flight players bleating about playing twice in a few days or having a fixture backlog due to their own success, it is refreshing to see the Blues in the play-offs at the end of a season where they have played a massive 60 games.

Not only have they had the standard 46 league games to cope with, but Chris Hughton's side have also played six domestic cup matches and a further eight fixtures in the Europa League.

And let's not forget, Birmingham were as low as 14th in the table at the start of 2012. They did climb as high as third in late February but then the sheer amount of football they have played probably took a toll as a run of one win in seven effectively ended any lingering hopes of automatic promotion.

But they come into this first leg against Blackpool unbeaten in nine - while the team that has finished third has done best in recent years, the play-offs have, in the past, been the prey of a side that enters them with the best short-term form.

That Blackpool are undefeated themselves in their last seven makes this, I feel, the tougher of the two semi-finals to call - although with the second leg at the generally intimidating St Andrews, it is advantage the Brum in my book.

Blackpool can, on their day, beat anyone - but they have been found wanting, at times, for consistency. And they do struggle to keep the ball out of the net: of the four play-off contenders, they have the worst defensive record.

Because this is a close call, I am looking at goals as my best bet. Blackpool are very likely to score: they have netted in all of their last 12 home games. Birmingham, meanwhile, have scored more away goals than anyone else in the division this season, 41 in all at an average of 1.78 a game. They have managed at least one goal in each of their last 12 road trips.

Therefore, I suggest looking for both teams to net in this one - and that would then open the door for my second suggestion, which requires one more goal at either end.

Best bet: Back Both teams to Score @ 1.78
Recommended Bet: Over 2.5 Goals @ 1.91

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