Kickoff: 4:00 PM ET / 3:00 PM CT
Venue: Protective Stadium — Birmingham, Alabama
Broadcast: ABC / ESPN+ / UFL+
Venue Profile — Protective Stadium
- Location: Birmingham, AL
- Capacity: ~47,000
- Surface: Turf
- Home‑Field Advantage: One of the strongest in the UFL; Stallions feed off crowd energy
- Team Fit: Birmingham plays faster and more aggressively at home
Protective Stadium has historically been a Stallions stronghold, especially in afternoon games.
Weather Forecast (Birmingham, AL)
Kickoff Weather Rating: 8/10 — Warm, slightly breezy
- Temperature: 81–84°F
- Sky: Mostly sunny
- Wind: 7–11 mph from the southwest
- Rain Chance: 10%
- Humidity: 55–60%
- Impact:
- Warm conditions favor up‑tempo offenses
- Light wind may slightly affect long field goals
Injury Report
Birmingham Stallions
- QB Adrian Martinez — Probable (shoulder)
- RB C.J. Marable — Probable (ankle)
- WR Deon Cain — Questionable (hamstring)
- LB Scooby Wright — Out (knee)
- CB Brian Allen — Probable (groin)
Columbus Aviators
- QB D’Eriq King — Probable (rib)
- RB John Lovett — Out (foot)
- WR Jeff Badet — Probable (ankle)
- TE Marcus Baugh — Out (knee)
- DE Jonathan Garvin — Questionable (illness)
Impact Summary:
- Birmingham’s offense is intact, but losing Scooby Wright hurts run defense.
- Columbus missing Lovett and Baugh limits their ground game and short‑yardage packages.
- Both starting QBs are expected to play, keeping offensive schemes stable.
Team Records & Recent Form
Birmingham Stallions (4–4)
Last 5: 2–3 Home Record: 2–1 Points For: 176 Points Against: 171
Form Notes:
- Inconsistent but explosive offense
- Defense has struggled against mobile QBs
- Special teams remain a strength
Columbus Aviators (2–6)
Last 5: 1–4 Road Record: 1–3 Points For: 148 Points Against: 196
Form Notes:
- Offense flashes but lacks consistency
- Defense allows too many explosive plays
- Columbus has lost three straight
Key Player Matchups
1. Adrian Martinez (BHM) vs. Columbus Pass Defense
- Martinez’s dual‑threat ability is a major problem for Columbus
- Aviators rank bottom‑3 in pass defense
- If Martinez’s shoulder holds up, he could have a big day
Edge: Martinez
2. D’Eriq King (COL) vs. Birmingham Linebackers
- King’s mobility stresses Birmingham’s weakened LB corps
- Without Scooby Wright, Stallions must spy King more often
- King must avoid turnovers — his biggest issue this season
Edge: Even, depends on King’s decision‑making.
3. C.J. Marable (BHM) vs. Columbus Front Seven
- Marable is heating up after a slow start
- Columbus allows 4.8 yards per carry
- Expect Birmingham to lean on the run early
Edge: Marable
4. Jeff Badet (COL) vs. Birmingham Secondary
- Badet’s speed is Columbus’ best explosive‑play weapon
- Birmingham’s secondary has been inconsistent
- If King connects deep, Columbus stays competitive
Edge: Badet, if fully healthy.
Series History
- All‑time: Birmingham leads 3–1
- Last meeting (2025): Stallions won 31–20
- At Protective Stadium: Birmingham is 2–0 vs. Columbus
Trend: Birmingham has consistently controlled this matchup, especially at home.
Betting Trends
Birmingham Stallions
- 3–1 ATS at home
- Overs hit in 3 of last 4
- 6–2 in last eight home games
Columbus Aviators
- 2–6 ATS this season
- Unders hit in 5 of last 7
- 1–4 in last five road games
Head‑to‑Head
- Birmingham has covered 3 straight
- Overs hit in 3 of last 4 meetings
GAME ODDS
Birmingham Stallions – 1.5
Columbus Aviators 42.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, May 22, 2026
