Birmingham City are back in action today after the final international break of the season.
Shrewsbury Town visit St Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park to take on Chris Davies’ League One leaders.
Bottom-of-the-table Salop have endured a torrid time of it this season and lost their manager Gareth Ainsworth to League Two side Gillingham earlier this week. Experienced League One boss Michael Appleton has swiftly been parachuted in to oversee things until the end of the season.
Blues have a score to settle against Shrewsbury having been beaten 3-2 at the Croud Meadow back in November.
That victory hasn’t proved to be the springboard for a survival push with Shrewsbury 14 points adrift of safety – they are 23 places and 55 points below Blues.
Alex Dicken is at St Andrew’s to bring you live updates and analysis from Blues’ third meeting of the season with Shrewsbury.
Don't miss your Birmingham Mail Blues at Wembley special souvenir edition
Chris Davies's runaway League One leaders face Peterborough United on Sunday, April 13 in the final of the Vertu Trophy, looking to clinch the first past of a double after a season of incredible success.
The St Andrew's all-stars return to Wembley for the first time since their famous Carling Cup victory 14 years ago.
And to mark the big day in the capital, we've produced a stunning 40-page special which is a real must for all Blues supporters.
It is packed with interviews with boss Davies and Blues' key men, including hotshot striker Jay Stansfield, as well as a look back at the club's long road to Wembley.
There's a fascinating trip down memory lane to look at the Blues' previous two wins in the Football League trophy, in the 1991 Leyland Daf Cup and the 1995 Auto Windscreens Shield, with new interviews and pictures from the two glorious days.
Buy now and have it delivered directly to your door. Alternatively you can purchase in most supermarkets, high street retailers and independent newsagents in Birmingham from April 2, 2025.
FT: Blues 4-1 Shrewsbury
Ben Davies, Ethan Laird and a double from Alfie May hand Blues a big win and it could have been more. Three points closer to promotion for Chris Davies' side.
Blues have conceded
That wasn't part of the script. Shrewsbury have one back through substitute Vadaine Oliver.
The striker climbed above Allsop to head home a left-wing cross.
Alfie May scores again!
And another one for Alfie May! They're like buses!
May rounded Blackman and slotted into the empty net after being put through by Harris.
Grant Hanley has replaced Klarer for the final five minutes or so.
Alfie May makes it 3-0
Alfie May has ended his long wait for a goal. The striker finishes from close range for his 12th of the season after good wing play from Hansson.
Two more Blues changes
Two more Blues changes with 18 minutes to play. Alfie May and Luke Harris on for Stansfield and Willumsson.
Willumsson much improved today after a poor run of form.
Laird makes it 2-0!
Ethan Laird makes it 2-0!
Leonard crossed from the right and Laird headed home his fourth goal of the season.
That was Laird's last act before being replaced by Alfons Sampsted. Emil Hansson also on for Keshi Anderson.
Cochrane goes close
Alex Cochrane almost scored his first Blues goal with a right-footed effort from the edge after a short corner. Inches wide of the post.
The second half begins
HT: Blues 1-0 Shrewsbury
As dominant a half of football as Blues have played this season. It should be at least three. Ben Davies' first Blues goal the difference at the break.
Chris Davies wanted his side to right the wrong of their defeat to Shrewsbury in November and they are on their way to another three points.
A much improved Willumsson
Willum Willumsson is offering a much improved performance this afternoon.
The Iceland international hasn't been at the races much recently, but he has been involved in most of Blues' positive play today.
He created the chance for Dowell and has made some excellent runs in behind the right side of Shrewsbury's defence.
Blues take the lead (27)
GOAALLL! Ben Davies gives Blues the lead by connecting with Dowell's free-kick. Blues reaping rewards from that Rangers connection.
Dowell whipped the ball in from the left and Davies converted by sliding in from close range.
Dowell had to score!
Kieran Dowell has missed an absolute sitter. Lovely play by Blues and Willumsson pulled it across to Dowell who blazed over from six yards with his weaker right foot.
Stansfield has a big chance
Stansfield has just had a one-v-one saved by Jamal Blackman. Dowell set Stansfield away down the right but he couldn't guide the shot beyond Blackman. That was a chance.
Willum Willumsson curled one over the bar on at the end of a sustained period of pressure from Blues.
Trademark Allsop...
Trademark Ryan Allsop over the top to Keshi Anderson and his looping volley goes just over the bar. What a weapon that has been for Blues this season.
Allsop had his head in his hands as Anderson's shot whistled over.
And we're off
Shrewsbury's Taylor Perry has got the game at St Andrew's underway.
Blues are in their usual home strip and Shrewsbury are wearing white tops, blue shorts and white socks.
The visitors have lined up in a 3-5-2 formation.
Results elsewhere
There have been three home wins in today's early League One kick-offs which bodes well.
Leyton Orient beat Stevenage 1-0, Charlton battered Huddersfield 4-0 and Stockport edged past Burton 2-1.
Blues' title rivals Wrexham travel to Exeter and third-placed Wycombe host Lincoln City at Adams Park.
No word on Krystian Bielik's absence
There is no official word on Krystian Bielik's absence. You would expect the skipper to be named among the substitutes if he's fit, so you would presume it's that or illness which has kept him out today.
Chris Davies will be asked about Bielik in his post-game press conference.
Shrewsbury team news
New Shrewsbury boss Michael Appleton has made three changes from their defeat to Burton Albion last time out.
Striker John Marquis caused Blues plenty of problems in the game in November and will battle Christoph Klarer and Ben Davies again.
| TEAM NEWS IS IN!
— Shrewsbury Town FC (@shrewsburytown) March 29, 2025
#Salop pic.twitter.com/2WZNRYb7vP
Blues team news
Ethan Laird is straight back into the Birmingham City line-up for today’s game against Shrewsbury. Laird replaces Alfons Sampsted at right-back to give Chris Davies his first choice back four once again.
Marc Leonard replaces the injured Paik Seung-ho in the only other change from the draw at Northampton two weeks ago. Krystian Bielik isn’t in the matchday squad.
(4-2-3-1): Allsop; Laird, Klarer, Davies, Cochrane; Leonard, Iwata; Dowell, Willumsson, Anderson; Stansfield
Subs: Peacock-Farrell, Sampsted, Hanley, Hansson, Harris, Jutkiewicz, May
Davies wants Dowell for keeps
In two months at St Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park, Kieran Dowell has started more games and scored more goals than he did in the previous 18 months at Rangers.
Given Dowell’s impressive form and his Championship pedigree, Blues boss Chris Davies has made no secret of his interest in signing the 27-year-old this summer.
“He’s definitely someone I have been really encouraged by since he’s come in and from my point of view I want players like that here,” Davies told BirminghamLive.
“My communication is always around that stuff with Craig (Gardner - director of football), squad management and planning and who I think can really help us, and I think Kieran has done really well.
“I don’t know the exact context of what’s happening there with him, but it’s definitely something we will have to look into.”
Blues out to avenge defeat
Chris Davies wants his Birmingham City title chasers to ‘correct’ the one performance this season that he’s had to apologise for.
Blues were shocked by today’s opponents Shrewsbury Town when the two teams met back in November. Salop were bottom of the League One table at the time, as they are now, but battled to a 3-2 win over leaders Blues at the Croud Meadow.
The Blues manager believes that defeat should fuel his players in their latest meeting with Shrewsbury.
“I’m not inside the players’ heads but I would hope they would have the same feelings as me about that game, that it was a very disappointing day,” he said.
“When you have that, and you get the opportunity to play that opposition again, then you should have the feeling that you want to put that right. And I do get the sense that they want that.
“It’s a game of football, it’s worth three points if you win, that’s what it is ultimately, but it was a day where we didn’t do ourselves justice so we want to try and correct that.”
Hello and welcome
Good afternoon from St Andrew's @ Knighthead Park for top against bottom in League One.
Blues are sitting pretty with 83 poonts, nine clear at the top of the table, whereas Shrewsbury are bottom of the pile with 28.
Salop have been in turmoil this week after manager Gareth Ainsworth quit for League Two Gillingham. Michael Appleton has come in until the end of the season and takes charge of his first game today.
Shrewsbury (h)
— Alex Dicken (@alexedicken) March 29, 2025
Chris Davies made it clear yesterday that he wants his players to correct their defeat to Shrewsbury in November.
Ethan Laird is with the squad and could feature after a month out. pic.twitter.com/LNbeyLs1Cs
