Birmingham City

Birmingham City V Manchester United

Kick-off: Tuesday, 28th December – 20:00 (GMT)
Venue: St Andrews
TV Coverage: Sky Sports HD1

One of the more contrasting clashes on Tuesday sees Birmingham City entertain Manchester United inside St Andrews, where the Red Devils have won only once in their previous four league visits but find themselves needing to better a disappointing track record in Birmingham if they’re to retain top-spot in the Barclay’s Premier League table come the end of 2010.

No team are in a better position to wrestle the Premier League crown away from Chelsea’s grasp than Manchester United, and that’s a frightening statement for all of their rivals as the Red Devils have a proven track record of finishing the campaign like a steam train. Sat top of the pile by two points, with just as many games in hand over their nearest pursuer, local rivals Man City, to say United’s situation is healthy would be a massive understatement – It’s dominant. What’s more, they appear as though they’re hitting their stride with the performances gradually getting to the standard which would suggest a team in title-winning form.

Their latest signal of intent was to comprehensively beat a Sunderland side who have caused each of their title rivals problems. At Old Trafford, United were rampant as the final score of 2-0 didn’t fairly reflect the dominance Fergie’s men enjoyed. Ryan Giggs in particular was in sublime form, as was Wayne Rooney even though he still awaits his first goal from open play since March, though it was top-scorer Dimitar Berbatov who once again stole all the limelight with his brace. The Bulgarian is showing the sort of clinical finishing and composure in front of goal which forced Ferguson’s hand over two years ago, and his budding relationship with Rooney really has blossomed this season and it’s been the silky Bulgarian who has reaped the vast majority of the rewards and plaudits, taking his league tally for the term to 13 on Boxing Day.

While United’s midfielders and strikers have been catching everyone’s eye and making all the headlines, only the shrewd few, and I’m going to throw my big head into that ring, would pay homage to a defence which has been the solid foundation needed in order for the Red Devils to stand strong in a crowded market place which has become more and more unstable as the competitors around them toughen up and raise their game. No longer are injuries restricting the growth of the chemistry at the back for United, with the Van Der Vaart; Vidic, Ferdinand, Rafael and Evra set-up growing in stature and confidence with every match. Only a scruffy Christopher Samba goal has found its way past Edwin Van Der Saar in United’s last four league encounters, with their shut-out at home to Sunderland on Sunday their third in four games.

Christmas may well have passed but we’re willing to play the role of Humbug Scrooge by dashing all the hysteria around Manchester by highlighting Manchester United’s disconcerting away flaws.

A staggering nine of their ten league victories this season have come at Old Trafford, as have 27 of their 38 goals. The gulf in not only quality of performance but also the end product between their home and away matches is so huge that United, despite their incredibly strong position at the top of the table, instantly become a vulnerable outfit on the road. Only Stoke City, via two wonderful Javier Hernandez goals, have been beaten at home by Man Utd this season, only Sunderland and Man City have been denied in front of goal by United at home as well.

It all makes for unpleasant reading if you’re a United supporter, but there’s no doubt United have been racing through the gears and with confidence in the dressing room sky-high – Sir Alex was even seen joking with Berbatov after the Bulgarian was subbed late into the Boxing Day feast at Old Trafford – the league form impeccable and their star men beginning to find their rhythm, that away spark which is definitely needed in order for United to clinch their record-breaking twelfth Premier League crown may well be just around the corner.

Of course, Alex McLeish and Birmingham will have other ideas, and it isn’t as though the Blues don’t have their own immediate urgency for points.

Positioned in 17th and possibly just one more defeat away from dropping into the bottom three for the first time this season, matters haven’t just taken a serious turn for the worse at St Andrews, there’s a growing sense of desperation. Just three wins in the league thus far, just one in their previous eight, there’s a distinct lack of cohesion and continuity about the Birmingham campaign thus far – And combined with their lack of final third creativity and flair, having registered the least amount of shots on and off target in the top-flight this term, we’re already considering Birmingham for the drop.

On the positive side of things, all of Birmingham’s premium wins have come at their St Andrews, what had been a fortress until Everton spoiled everything earlier in the season. Even so, they’ve succumbed to defeat on just one occasion in twenty-three and boast a far stronger defensive record at home than they do on the road, conceding eight less.

However, the lack of goals is a massive concern especially as they aren’t creating chances. Seventeen isn’t the worst goalscoring record in the league, though it isn’t encouraging either – It’s virtually on par with the relegation occupants. Eight of those have come at St Andrews however, and the Blues have scored in each of their previous four home contests in the Premier League, so there is at least some hidden form to suggest Birmingham are capable of frustrating the mighty Reds for the second year running. Plus, they’ll be the fresher of the two after their Boxing Day clash with Everton was postponed.

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Last 5 Matches

Birmingham City

Premier League: Everton P-P Birmingham City
Premier League: Wolves 1-0 Birmingham City
Premier League: Birmingham City 1-1 Tottenham Hotspur
Carling Cup: Birmingham City 2-1 Aston Villa
Premier League: Fulham 1-1 Birmingham City

Manchester United

Premier League: Manchester United 2-0 Sunderland
Premier League: Manchester United 1-0 Arsenal
Premier League: Blackpool P-P Manchester United
Champions League: Manchester United 1-1 Valencia
Carling Cup: West Ham 4-0 Manchester United

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Premier League Head-to-Head (Last 10)

2009/2010: Birmingham City 1-1 Manchester United
2009/2010: Manchester United 1-0 Birmingham City

2007/2008: Manchester United 1-0 Birmingham City
2007/2008: Birmingham City 0-1 Manchester United

2005/2006: Manchester United 3-0 Birmingham City
2005/2006: Birmingham City 2-2 Manchester United

2004/2005: Manchester United 2-0 Birmingham City
2004/2005: Birmingham City 0-0 Manchester United

2003/2004: Birmingham City 1-2 Manchester United
2003/2004: Manchester United 3-0 Birmingham City

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2010/2011 Premier League Statistics

Birmingham City

League Position: 17th
Win-Draw-Lose: 3-9-5 (Home: 3-4-1)
Form: DWDDL (Home: LWDWD)
Goal Difference: 17-20 (Home: 8-6)
Top Scorer: Craig Gardner (4)

Manchester United

League Position: 1st
Win-Draw-Lose: 10-7-0 (Away: 1-6-0)
Form: DWWWW (Away: DDWDD)
Goal Difference: 38-16 (Away: 11-10)
Top Scorer: Dimitar Berbatov (13)

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Team News

Alex McLeish has confirmed that on-loan Barcelona ace Alex Hleb, who has spent the last four weeks sidelined with a hamstring injury, has returned to first-team training and that he would play some part over the festive period and New Year. James McFadden is the only definite absentee, with the Scot out with a knee injury – cruciate ligament damage – since September.

Aware of Birmingham’s Boxing Day breather, with the Blues’ clash away to Everton on Boxing Day postponed due to a burst water pipe, United boss Sir Alex Ferguson displayed his economic qualities by resting top-scorer Dimitar Berbatov, replacing the Bulgarian, who scored twice in his side’s 2-0 win at home over Sunderland, with Javier Hernandez late on. Berbatov, who hasn’t featured too prominently in United’s December schedule, for one reason or another, should now be certain of a starting berth at St Andrews.

Ryan Giggs was also handed some much needed rest bite. The Welshman played a starring role in United’s victory over the Black Cats and was substituted on the hour mark with Tuesday’s trip to Birmingham in mind, as was Brazilian midfielder Anderson, who was deputising for the ill Darren Fletcher. Paul Scholes, Owen Hargreaves and Antonio Valencia won’t feature in a United shirt until 2011.

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Match Odds:

Birmingham City – 7.00 VictorChandler
Draw – 4.00 Bet365
Manchester United – 1.57 Coral

Birmingham City V Newcastle United

Kick-off: Saturday, 18th December – 15:00 (GMT)
Venue: St Andrews

Birmingham City

Last week we nominated Stoke manager Tony Pulis as the season’s latest Mr. Scrooge, and wrongly so as it would appear the decision not to spend big on on-loan winger Jermaine Pennant is down to the club’s owner. Fear not as Birmingham’s Alex McLeish has earned the role on his own merits, cancelling the team’s annual Christmas party as he felt his side didn’t deserve an X-Mas bash because of where they lie in the Premiership table.

Formerly the manager of Scotland at international level, Alex McLeish has always had a business before pleasure type of reputation and the Scot shown his discontent with how the season has panned out thus far but cancelling any festive knees-up this time around, what with his team currently languishing near the foot of the table and just one defeat away from possibly enduring a spell inside the bottom three. Quite frankly, there is no time for the Blues to take their eyes off the ball and so the decision looks a logical one considering, though players who have had a difficult time of things on the pitch can often do with a festive get-together, so time will tell whether McLeish has made the right decision even though we’re 100% behind his bold decision.

One player in particular who did get behind McLeish following the cancellation was veteran striker Kevin Phillips, although the former Sunderland and West Brom striker is partly to blame as it was his missed opportunity away to Wolves last weekend which cost the Blues a valuable away point. In fairness, though, the result was a fair reflection on a game Wolves dominated and Birmingham massively disappointed in, with McLeish seeing his side produce arguably their poorest display of the season thus far at Molineux, against a team currently positioned in 19th. Birmingham just couldn’t get going in that match, the was no desire or passion from the players, nor any imagination or cutting edge in the final third.

Luckily for Alex McLeish, his side’s next encounter will be at home, although up against a rejuvenated Newcastle side who beat Liverpool with aplomb last weekend at St James’. St Andrews has been a fortress for Birmingham ever since their promotion back to the Premier League in 2009, with the Blues having suffered just three defeats at home in the Premier League under Alex McLeish’s stewardship. Furthermore, only Everton have beaten them at home this season, they’re unbeaten in their last four in Birmingham and can eve boast hugely impressive results in their latest home assignments with a 1-1 draw against Tottenham Hotspur and that stunning 1-0 win over defending champions Chelsea.

Newcastle United

Reports this week suggest a Qatar consortium is considering the possibility of acquiring Newcastle United FC, with current owner Mike Ashley having put the club up for sale just before they were relegated from the Premiership back in 2009 only to take it back off the market the same year, when the club were well on their way to clinching promotion back to the promised land. But with Ashley’s relationship with supporters virtually non-existent, with fans desperate to see the back of a man whom they believe makes rash decisions, often on a whim rather than using any basis common sense.

In the meantime, Ashley is praying fans buy into his latest headline maker, his decision to uproot former manager Chris Hughton, who guided the club to immediate promotion back into the top-flight by winning the 2009/2010 Championship, as well as masterminding the team’s stable start to the current campaign which has included wins over Everton and Arsenal, and a well-earned draw with Chelsea, and replace him with Alan Pardew, a manager with very little Premiership experience and a coach which has experienced more lows than highs during his managerial career. But the former Charlton, West Ham and Southampton manager made the perfect start as Magpies boss, successfully plotting Liverpool’s demise at St James’ last weekend, a result which had some supporter backtracking on their original views that Newcastle would begin their customary side down the table following major yet unnecessary recent changes.

So it was the dream start he dreamt of for Alan Pardew, whom has never walked into a new club and felt more like Goldilocks than ever before, stepping into someone’s hot shoes just days after the dismissal and while the fans’ fury and anger still burned strong for Mike Ashley and whoever Chrish Hughton’s replacement was. It was far to say that the consensus wasn’t in favour of Pardew’s appointment, but they were delirious with his first result; guiding Newcastle to a stunning 3-1 win over Liverpool. Above all else, it helped stop the rot, with the Magpies having previously gone their last five league matches without winning, but more poignant was the performance from his players, players who some questioned would pledge their full support to Pardew following the sacking of Hughton, a manager every player at St James’ adore and respected. Instead, inspired by captain Kevin Nolan’s professionalism, they gave their new boss their full backing and shown on the pitch that they were willing to pull in the same direction of a manager who still has a hostile rapport with the fans.

The good times just continue to roll for Alan Pardew, who will welcome back Fabricio Coloccini and Mike Williamson from suspension and the pair could jump straight back into the starting XI even though their centre-half deputies, Sol Campbell and Steven Taylor, have done a commendable job in their absences. Midfield Joey Barton, who scored the team’s crucial second goal against the Reds which ultimately sent the Magpies on their way to three valuable points and a dream start for his new manager, even managed to escape any punishment from the FA for his appalling gestures towards Fernando Torres. Once again Barton throws his chances of an England call in the bin with yet more disgraceful acts on the pitch, a player Fabio Capello could really do with, someone who plays with his heart on his sleeve and isn’t afraid to stick his body on the line for the good of the team, as he shown with his goal at St James’ last weekend.

So can this Pardew – Newcastle relationship keep up winning pretences? Their record in the league against Birmingham would suggest so, with the Magpies posting an extremely healthy head-to-head of having not lost in a top-flight fixture to Birmingham City since 2003. During that time the pair have clashed on seven occasions, Newcastle winning three of those – although neither were at St Andrews – with the remaining four obviously finishing in stalemate. In terms of their last victory in the Premier League at Birmingham, Newcastle fans will need to cast their minds back to when Nolberto Solano and Shola Ameobi earned the Magpies a 2-0 win.

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Recent Form (Last 5):

Birmingham City

Premier League: Wolves 1-0 Birmingham City
Carling Cup: Birmingham City 2-1 Aston Villa
Premier League: Birmingham City 1-1 Tottenham Hotspur
Premier League: Fulham 1-1 Birmingham City
Premier League: Manchester City 0-0 Birmingham City

Newcastle United

Premier League: Newcastle United 3-1 Liverpool
Premier League: West Brom 3-1 Newcastle United
Premier League: Newcastle United 1-1 Chelsea
Premier League: Bolton Wanderers 5-1 Newcastle United
Premier League: Newcastle United 0-0 Fulham

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Head-to-Head (Premier League):

2007/2008: Birmingham City 1-1 Newcastle United
2007/2008: Newcastle United 2-1 Birmingham City
2005/2006: Birmingham City 0-0 Newcastle United
2005/2006: Newcastle United 1-0 Birmingham City
2004/2005: Newcastle United 2-1 Birmingham City
2004/2005: Birmingham City 2-2 Newcastle United
2003/2004: Birmingham City 1-1 Newcastle United
2003/2004: Newcastle United 0-1 Birmingham City
2002/2003: Newcastle United 1-0 Birmingham City
2002/2003: Birmingham City 0-2 Newcastle United

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Statistics (Premier League):

Birmingham City

League Position: 16th
Win-Draw-Lose: 3-9-5 (Home: 3-4-1)
Form: DWDDL (Home: LWDWD)
Goal Difference: 17-20 (Home: 8-6)
Top Goalscorer: Craig Gardner (4)

Newcastle United

League Position: 8th
Win-Draw-Lose: 6-4-7 (Away: 3-1-4)
Form: DLDLW (Away: LWWLL)
Goal Difference: 27-26 (Away: 8-15)
Top Goalscorer: Andy Carroll (10)

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Match Prediction: Draw – 3.30 Victorchandler

It would appear the Birmingham players were the ones who actually cancelled their own Christmas bash and not manager Alex McLeish, although we’re still happy to cast him as the role of Scrooge for allowing their decision to stand. But it should prove a good decision by everyone at Birmingham. The players clearly recognise that they haven’t deserved any party and that all their attention must be on business and driving the Blues further up the table, away from the dreaded relegation zone, where they currently find themselves hovering directly above with defeat at the weekend almost certain to see them spend a spell inside the bottom three.

Newcastle’s impressive victory over Liverpool last weekend at St James’ Park was more down to Liverpool’s lack of application, as per usual, than anything outstanding they did so while some fans may little themselves get carried with the euphoria, we’re keeping our feet firmly on the ground as far as Newcastle are concerned. In fairness, the players’ response to the recent managerial change was second to none, with Kevin Nolan leading by example with the first goal before everyone else in the team rallied. However, there were several periods of the game were the Magpies just nodded off, as they’ve done in so many of their matches this season, and with Birmingham’s attitude and application more times than not spot-on, they’ll be a popular punt over the course of the weekend. However, Magpies boss Alan Pardew will welcome back his predecessor’s first-choice centre-half partnership for the trip to Birmingham and that could be enough, providing that Joey Barton, Kevin Nolan and Andy Carroll, the core of the team works hard, to squeeze a point out of a tough away outing.

Match Odds:

Birmingham City – 2.40 WilliamHill
Draw – 3.30 Victorchandler
Newcastle United – 3.20 PaddyPower

Wolves V Birmingham City

Kick-off: Sunday, 12th December – 13:30 (GMT)
Venue: Molineux

Wolves

Mick McCarthy, always at one with comedy, made me chuckle this week when claiming that he’s willing to watch his side play ugly if it means picking up priceless points. The Midlands outfit find themselves second from bottom in the table and were even rock-bottom for 24 hours last weekend, before West Ham spared their blushes by losing the following day. But it seems the Wolves boss is willing to ditch Samba-esque football if it means more points being registered over the festive period. The former Republic of Ireland manager clearly isn’t phased about being branded THAT manager of THAT ugly Premier League side – Taking one for the team, eh Mick?

Jokes aside, and the above was one of our lame attempts at comedy – I guess I should leave that to Mick himself. Wolves are in a spot of bother, bother being a light-hearted way of summing up a pretty shoddy situation. Their emphatic defeat away to Blackburn Rovers last weekend put memories of a jubilant yet rare league win at home to Sunderland the week before right to the back of everyone’s mind, with the focus now reverting back to the many defeats Wolves have collected this season. It’s now five in six, ten in sixteen overall. However, those eager to see some glimmer of hope at the end of the tunnel can at least take solace from Wolves’ half-decent record at home this season, where Molineux has been treated to all three of the team’s league victories this season, as well as having endured just three of the ten defeats inflicted upon them by their merciless opponent’s.

Molineux has in fact been the home of magic in recent weeks, with Wolves having scored five in their previous two Molineux outings. The club will be ringing up all those who attended both games against Bolton and Sunderland asking to pay for the flood of goals they weren’t supposed to see. But it could also be a sign, not like David Blaine’s scribble in the hand sort of thing, an actual sign that the tables are beginning to turn. Their opponent’s on Sunday are that of Birmingham City, a side not renowned for their scoring expertise, even less on their travels, and so if Wolves were to continue in the same scoring vein then they would be guaranteed the win. At least that would be the case had their defence been in order, as while Molineux has been treated to a five goals in two matches, the away fans have also been fortunate to see just as many goals find the back of the Wolves net. And just like David Blaine, there never really was any magic in the first place.

Mick McCarthy will again be without a whole host of first-team figures, as many as seven in actual fact, although he does at least have Steven Fletcher back in contention after the Scotland international spent the last fortnight tucked up in bed with a virus. Can Fletch-dinho inspire the Premier League’s equivalent of Brazil to victory or will Wolves be exposed for what they really are – Dull, unsophisticated Wolves.

Birmingham City

Blues boss Alex McLeish claims selecting the starting XI has been made that much tougher following Craig Gardner’s scoring-return from suspension, with the Scot landing himself in pickle as to start with either Nikola Zigic up front with Cameron Jerome in a 4-4-2 formation or a 4-5-1 formation with Garnder in midfield. It all seems basic maths to me.

It would appear as though we’re now waiting on the decision on whether Alex McLeish opts for a more offensive formation, with Nikola Zigic up top, or with a more cautions but more well-round 4-5-1 formation, with Craig Gardner slotting into midfield alongside the ever consistent Barry Ferguson and Lee Bowyer. For starters, Gardner, despite playing in a much deeper role than Zigic, whom is supposedly a striker, has double the amount of Premier League goals than the waste of space Serbian, and at 20ft tall he literally is taking up too much space. Secondly, Birmingham played in a 4-42 formation in the Carling Cup against Aston Villa, at home, and were outplayed despite winning 2-1. They then tried 4-5-1 last weekend against Tottenham, a side in red-hot form, and they managed to scramble a 1-1 draw from it, with Gardner scoring the winner, ironically from the header of Nikola Zigic. Even so, you’re getting a more compact formation at a venue where you’re bound to require numbers in the centre of park, not to mention Gardner sheds blood and tears for the cause, unlike Zigic, who just floats about up top and looks pretty. Scratch the last part!

I suppose, considering Wolves have neither been one nor the other in front of goal or at the back, McLeish is justified in his quandary. I’m almost certain he’ll go for five in midfield though in order to try and boss the midfield and dominate the game, to try and impose themselves on a side in terrible form. But Birmingham themselves don’t exactly arrive in the Midlands boasting formidable form. It’s sturdy, as is the norm with Birmingham these days, with a hard-fought win at home to Chelsea the obvious highlight, but they’ve been second best in each of their last six league contests, seven if you include their smash and grab win in the Carling Cup. A combination of luck and a fiery determination not to lose matches is makes Birmingham such a difficult opponent. However they are far from unbeatable and it would be typical for a side like Wolves, a team in dire shape, situated second from bottom in the table, losers in five of their last six league matches and bringing with them a host of injuries to be the ones which finally lay the Blues to rest.

If Birmingham are to lose before Christmas which we suspect they might, then it is surely to come on their travels where they’re clearly a lot more vulnerable. At St Andrews, Birmingham have suffered just one defeat in eight as opposed to the three in eight on the road. They’re also yet to win away from home this season, but the fact they’ve drawn five of eight away games is all you need to know really. Alex McLeish sets his side up to defend in numbers away from home, and it has been poor defensive displays, rare ones at that, which have cost them valuable away spoils this season, with two of their three away defeats suffered the direct symptoms of conceding three goals in a single outing. And Wolves are in decent scoring nick, too.

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Recent Form (Last 5 Matches):

Wolves

Premier League: Blackburn Rovers 3-0 Wolves
Premier League: Wolves 3-2 Sunderland
Premier League: Blackpool 2-1 Wolves
Premier League: Wolves 2-3 Bolton Wanderers
Premier League: Wolves 0-2 Arsenal

Birmingham City

Premier League: Birmingham City 1-1 Tottenham Hotspur
Carling Cup: Birmingham City 2-1 Aston Villa
Premier League: Birmingham City 1-0 Chelsea
Premier League: Manchester City 0-0 Birmingham City
Premier League: Stoke City 3-2 Birmingham City

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Head-to-Head (Premier League ONLY):

2009/2010: Birmingham City 2-1 Wolves
2009/2010: Wolves 0-1 Birmingham City
2003/2004: Birmingham City 2-2 Wolves
2003/2004: Wolves 1-1 Birmingham City

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Statistics (Premier League ONLY):

Wolves

League Position: 19th
Win/Draw/Lose: 3-3-10 (Home: 3-2-3)
Form: LLLWL (Home: DWLLW)
Goal Difference: 17-30 (Home: 12-13)
Top Goalscorer: Sylvan Ebanks-Blake (4)

Birmingham City

League Position: 14th
Win/Draw/Lose: 3-9-4 (Away: 0-5-3)
Form: LDWDD (Away: LDLDD)
Goal Difference: 17-19 (Away: 9-13)
Top Goalscorer: Craig Gardner (4)

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Match Odds

Wolves – 2.50 PaddyPower
Draw – 3.30 Coral
Birmingham City – 3.20 VCbet

Birmingham City V Tottenham Hotspur

Saturday, 4th December – 15:00 (GMT)

Venue: St Andrews

Birmingham City

The Blues were in triumphant mood during the week and will arrive at St Andrews for their second competitive fixture in less than four days buoyed by their progress in the Carling Cup, where Birmingham didn’t just glide through to the semi-finals but eliminated their arch-rivals in the process. However, a small amount of that success was tarnished by the actions of those inside the stadium, with the Birmingham fans largely to blame for what was unpleasant scenes inside St Andrews, and instead of much of the focus falling on a team on the cusp of a rare appearance in a major final, the majority of the limelight on Saturday will be on the fans and how they apply themselves following Wednesday night’s antics.

Nikola Zigic, the Serbian international with a big reputation for being extremely difficult to defend against because of his extraordinary height, has taken a while to adjust to the English game and didn’t score his first goal for the club until the middle of October. To be honest, he hasn’t exactly been a force to be reckoned with since, but the aerial beast became an instant hero on Wednesday as his winning goal late on ensured it was Birmingham who went through to the semi’s at the expense of the club’s fiercest rivals, Aston Villa. However, Zigic’s last league goal came a little over a month ago and despite his formidable aerial advantage, hasn’t been a striker to keep on the right side since completing his move to St Andrews over the summer.

Another player now enjoying a decent vein of scoring form is midfielder Sebastian Larsson, who scored in the 1-1 draw away to Fulham last weekend as well as opening the scoring from the spot in midweek against Aston Villa. But Birmingham on the whole are in a much healthier situation for a change, with the Blues on the verge of equalling their longest unbeaten streak of the season and we all know how difficult Birmingham can be once they settle themselves down and have a record to protect. Moreover, we shouldn’t forget that while Birmingham have only conjured three league wins all season, all three came at St Andews and that Alex McLeish has seen his team lose just one of their previous 21 home matches in the Premier League.

Time for some bad news, or a case of McLeish knows best, as while the Birmingham treatment hasn’t been overflowing this season, they could be without a number of influential players for Saturday’s home match with Spurs. Craig Gardner, the team’s joint-leading scorer in the league and one of the star performers under Alex McLeish this season, is a major doubt with an ankle injury while Alexander Hleb and Sebastian Larsson are both doubts as well after failing to last the fill 90 minutes against Fulham and Aston Villa respectively. All three are key midfield components and up against the likes of Wilson Palacios, Luka Modric or Jermaine Jenas, McLeish can ill-afford to be without any of the aforementioned players, let alone the possibility of all three.

Tottenham Hotspur

Dare we say it or even begin to believe it, but Tottenham are threatening to add some consistency to their armoury. Their euphoric success in Europe in what is their maiden campaign in the Champions League has now gone hand-in-hand with a steadily improving league campaign which seen them go through the whole of November without losing a fixture. Now in fifth position and just six points shy of leaders Manchester United, even the supporters are daring to dream about the possibility of clinching their first Premier League title, a feat which seemed unimaginable before Harry Redknapp joined the London outfit nearly two years ago.

However, it’s so important the fans get a sense of perspective as while everyone at the club matches their ambition, with Redknapp stating on more than one occasion that his side are most definitely title contenders, it’s vital that everyone, fans included, keep their feet well and truly grounded as within the blink of an eye, a promising season can go completely array if you don’t keep your eye on the ball and focus on the very next assignment placed in front of you. Furthermore, fans need to understand that the club has come a long way in these last two years under Harry Redknapp’s influence, with the club succeeding everyone’s expectations despite boasting one of the most dynamic squads in the country.

We won’t deter any Spurs fans from dreaming, in fact the ambition and drive from the supporters should prove beneficial as Tottenham have been a team who often require a kick up the backside in order to kick on and fulfil their exceedingly high potential. And as we mentioned before, Redknapp is close to achieving the unthinkable at White Hart Lane, which is to add continuity in results to their repertoire. Should he do so then Tottenham Hotspur would become a serious play in this intriguing race for the title, especially considering Harry has spent the entire campaign tinkering his squad, with injuries hampering his team selections every single week. While a clean bill of health is still to be achieved at Spurs, with the likes of Michael Dawson, Ledley King and Tom Huddlestone remaining long-term absentee’s, it’s a frightening thought to think that Spurs could find themselves in touch come say February next year at a time when, hopefully, Harry Redknapp will have a fully fit squad to pick from, and it’s a squad boasting so many unique and wonderful options.

The task at hand for the current Spurs crop, those actually available for selection, is to ensure the team stay in touch with the leading protagonists. With fifteen rounds of the league completed and Spurs just six points off the leaders under testing circumstances, they’ve done a miraculous job. However, it is trips to venues such as Birmingham’s St Andrews which ultimately define a team’s chances of glory but also their character. Tottenham displayed an abundance of the stuff in trips to Stoke and Fulham earlier in the season, when grounding out six invaluable points, but their away record on the whole isn’t that great (W:3 D:1 L:3) not to mention their exposed defensive record of having conceded eight goals in just their last three away league encounters.

However, their last result may well prove to be the catalyst Spurs are in need of in order to build a platform upon which to mount a strong enough case to be touted as possible Premier League winners. A stunning comeback at the Emirates, coming from 2-0 down to win 3-2 in an extraordinary affair, was to be the first of three sensational results which would turn Spurs into a dark horse in the Champions League, after sailing through to the knock-outs and on the verge of nailing top spot in their group, as well as enhancing their claims for a serious title challenge with a hard-fought win over Liverpool at White Hart Lane. The atmosphere in the dressing room and in training should be second to none, probably even unrivalled in the Premier League right now. So on the basis of a buoyant, confident dressing room and an impressive run of league form, surely Spurs have enough going for them to justify their rather slim odds at fortress St Andrews?

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Form

Birmingham City

Carling Cup: Birmingham City 2-1 Aston Villa

Premier League: Fulham 1-1 Birmingham City

Premier League: Birmingham City 1-0 Chelsea

Premier League: Manchester City 0-0 Birmingham City

Premier League: Stoke City 3-2 Birmingham City

Tottenham Hotspur

Premier League: Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 Liverpool

Champions League: Tottenham Hotspur 3-0 Weder Bremen

Premier League: Arsenal 2-3 Tottenham Hotspur

Premier League: Tottenham Hotspur 4-2 Blackburn Rovers

Premier League: Tottenham Hotspur 1-1 Sunderland

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Statistics (Premier League ONLY)

Birmingham City

League Position: 5th

Win/Draw/Lose: 3-8-4 (Home: 3-3-1)

Goal Difference: 16-18 (Home: 7-5)

Form: DLDWD (Home: DLWDW)

Top Goalscorer: Cameron Jerome, Craig Gardner, Liam Ridgewell (3)

Tottenham Hotspur

League Position: 5th

Win/Draw/Lose: 7-4-4 (Away: 4-3-1)

Goal Difference: 23-20 (Away: 10-12)

Form: LDWWW (Away: LWLLW)

Top Goalscorer: Rafael Van Der Vaart (6)

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Hot & Cold Bets

Hot:

Time of Last Goal: 73rd Min + (1.90 PaddyPower) – We could be in for some late drama at St Andrews this weekend, with the last four meetings between the two sides producing a goal in stoppage time (90+ Min).

Under 2.5 Goals (1.85 Bet365) - Birmingham’s St Andrews stadium has seen just twelve league goals scored this season, with five of the eight matches at home of the Blues finishing with less than 3 goals.

Tottenham to come from Behind and WIN (7.00 PaddyPower) – Tottenham are the comeback masters: coming from behind to pick up a result on seven occasions this season, with four being wins.

Cold:

Tottenham Hotspur to WIN (2.15 BetFred) - Flying high and enjoying a memorable campaign on all fronts maybe, but Spurs do have their flaws. The first being the fact they’ve registered just one win outside of London all season, the second being Birmingham’s impeccable record at home in the league having lost just one of their last 21 matches at St Andrews.

Tottenham Hotspur to keep a Clean Sheet (3.40 StanJames) - Since holding Manchester City to a 0-0 draw at White Hart Lane on the opening day of the season, Spurs haven’t kept a clean sheet in the league (14 Matches).

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Match Prediction: Draw – 3.50 VCbet

On the back of such an incredible run which has seen them end their long wait for a north London detby success over in Arsenal’s backyard, to clinching qualification in the UEFA Champions League with a game to spare to then recording their third successive home league win over former English greats Liverpool even though they were nowhere near their best and were never deserving winners. But consistency is beginning to creep into their game with regards to winning results and with the fans and everyone inside the club now genuinely of the belief that they do have what it takes to challenge for the title itself, perhaps now we will see a Tottenham side heading out onto that pitch fired up and gunning for every available point.

While they may be a stand-out side in the form book, I’m not entirely confident Spurs will be a popular selection with you guys over the weekend. The fact they’ve won just once outside of London all season makes for startling reading, while it would be easy to forget Birmingham’s outstanding home form over the last twelve or so months which has seen them lose just one of their last 21 home matches in the Premier League. And on the back of their Carling Cup quarter-final success, we’re backing the Blues to squash Tottenham’s title enthusiasm, for now at least.

Match Odds

Birmingham City - 3.75 VCbet

Draw – 3.50 VCbet

Tottenham Hotspur - 2.20 Coral

Fulham V Birmingham City

Saturday, 27th November – 15:00 (GMT)
Venue: Craven Cottage

Fulham

League Position: 17th
League Form: WDLDL

After conceding the battle with former employer’s Manchester City last weekend, Fulham boss Mark Hughes will look in the direction of a Birmingham City side who haven’t won away from home in the league in their last twelve matches for inspiration. Despite heading into the clash with cash-laden City unbeaten in their last two home matches, Fulham were no match for a City team lavished with supposedly world-class players. In fact, Fulham were mere spectators for the most part, enjoying very little of the possession at times and spending the majority of the game on the back foot.

Hughes would quite easily concede that last Sunday’s performance was the worst he’s overseen in his three months in charges, and the Welshman will demand a lot more from his players, some industry and endeavour amongst other things, as the team as a whole seek some instant salvation this weekend. However, their form of late has taken a nose-dive while the Whites are now without a league win for nearly a month, since comfortably beating Wigan Athletic 2-0 right at the very end of last month. Wins have been at a premium all season to be honest, just two in total, and although Fulham have retained some of their awkward, resilient qualities instilled in them by former manager Roy Hodgson, the new man at the helm, Mark Hughes, has so far failed in his quest to add some guile and cutting edge to Fulham’s attack, one which has conjured just two goals in the whole of November thus far (4 Matches).

The irony is, Fulham’s slump in form, having collected just two points from their previous four league matches, has come at a time when Hughes had the luxury of picking from a number of strikers, as opposed to earlier in the season when Fulham didn’t have a recognised striker in sight but still managed to go their opening seven encounter unbeaten. You could argue that the return of Moussa Dembele and Andy Johnson from injury has meant the group has dispersed a little, with that feeling of everyone must rally around one another in this hour of need having clearly diminished along with their, Demebele and Johnson, respective injuries.

Man City were another side to have highlight a rather obvious flaw of Fulham’s which is they allow too many chances to be created against them. During their seven-match unbeaten start to the season, Fulham were riding their luck at the back, with goalkeepers David Stockdale and Mark Schwarzer often bailing them out of trouble with some stunning saves. However, the luck seems to have run out and in turn the points have dried up. The Cottagers are currently enduring a dour period of form, picking up very little points, conceding far too many chances and not posing anywhere near enough problems for opposition defences. As a result, we just don’t see any value in backing Mark Hughes’ Fulham side this weekend even though they’re unbeaten in their last three meetings with the Blues from Birmingham.

Hot: Fulham to Score Exactly 1 Goal – 2.50 BlueSquare

Had you backed Fulham to score exactly 1 goal in each of their fourteen league matches this season, you would have been rewarded with a winning bet on six occasions.

Cold: Fulham to WIN – 2.10 PaddyPower

The Cottagers have managed just two wins all season and against a resilient Birmingham side, Fulham are probably best left well alone.

Birmingham City

League Position: 15th
League Form: DDLDW

Birmingham have the chance to put a bit of breathing space between them and the dreaded relegation zone on Saturday up against a Fulham side who are enduring a disappointing run of form,though the Blues are without an away win in the league since March and have conjured just one win on the road in the Premier League in sixteen away matches in 2010. However, hopes of an upturn in away fortunes are rightly high amongst supporters after watching their team battle to a well-deserved 1-0 win over league leaders Chelsea last Saturday.

A result which will rate amongst the biggest shocks of the 2010/2011 Premiership season, Birmingham produced a performance of real grit and togetherness to shut-out a previously free-scoring Chelsea en route to a famous victory. Goalkeeper Ben Foster, who featured for England earlier in the week, was one of the stars on show although every single Blues player can be proud of their achievements, the defence especially, as it was one of those typically valiant efforts at the back from Birmingham which we were so used to seeing last season, when the Blues were one of the toughest nuts to crack and went in to surprise everyone with their top-ten finish.

Unfortunately, one heroic effort against the reigning champions only rewards three points and with Alex McLeish having to oversee Saturday’s fixture in the knowledge that his team are just three places above the drop-zone, the Scot will no full well that his side can ill-afford to rest on their laurels. McLeish will be demanding more of the same at the weekend, although much of the prep talk will be on his defence. Ben Foster & Co were outstanding a week ago, but we haven’t seen enough of Birmingham’s defensive resilience this season. Quite the opposite in fact, with the Blues having shipped seven more away from home than at St Andrews. On the plus side, McLeish has seen his side keep two clean sheets in their last three away matches and on the back on the backdrop of a stunning result over Chelsea, the Scot will no doubt have every confidence in his players registering their first away win of the season at a venue and against an opponent they haven’t beaten in their last three away matches.

Hot: Over 2.5 Goals – 2.30 WilliamHill

Although renowned for their strong defensive qualities, Birmingham have been involved in five away matches this season which have produced 3 or more goals (5/7).

Cold: Birmingham City to WIN – 4.00 Bet365

The Blues have won just once on the road in the Premier League in 2010 and are without a win in their last twelve away encounters.

Match Prediction: Draw – 3.30 Ladbrokes

On paper, there isn’t a lot to choose between them. In fact, the more you study the statistics, as well as their anticipated game plans and strategies, the more you begin to warm to the draw. Fulham have been the draw specialists all season, drawing eight of their opening fourteen matches, while Birmingham’s resilient nature will make them equally tough to beat at Craven Cottage. Neither side has been scoring a great deal either, so another stalemate at the Cottage wouldn’t be a huge surprise.

Match Odds:

Fulham – 2.10 PaddyPower
Draw – 3.30 Ladbrokes
Birmingham City – 4.00 Bet365

Birmingham City V Chelsea

Saturday, 20th November – 15:00 (GMT)
Venue: St Andrews

Birmingham City

League Position: 18th
League Form: WDDLD

The rock-solid figure of Blues defender Roger Johnson had been a calming presence at the back for Birmingham during their successful stint in the Premiership last season, where they comfortably fended off the threat of relegation, but the centre-half has warned against his team-mates taking Saturday’s opponents Chelsea lightly despite the league leaders arriving at St Andrews on the back of a miserable run which has seen Carlo Ancelotti’s charges win just one of their last four away matches in the league.

Birmingham themselves aren’t exactly in tip-top shape either, with Blues manager Alex McLeish having seen his players register just two league wins in their opening thirteen matches – A dire start to their league campaign which has resulted in last season’s surprise package ending up acclimatising with the relegation zone far earlier than anticipated nor planned. However, one attribute McLeish has instilled in his team during his time with the St Andrews club is resilience, and the former Scotland manager is hoping to see more of those resilient, steely qualities which made them so difficult to beat at home last season.

Despite watching their 18-match run without losing at home in the Premier League diminish before them at the hands of Everton back in October, Birmingham have bounced back in typically buoyant fashion by opening up another unbeaten run of two matches which include a hard-fought comeback draw against bottom of the league West Ham and a 2-0 victory over Blackpool, the latter courtesy of some outstanding tactical play by manager McLeish. However, on the whole, Birmingham’s form hasn’t been anywhere near good enough and they’ll somehow go about trying to win only their third league game of the season on Saturday when they play host to league leaders Chelsea, whom they held to a 0-0 draw at St Andrews in the league last term.

Fortunately for Blue boss Alex McLeish, Birmingham don’t have any fresh injuries concerns that I know of, although McLeish has demanded more from his Belarus ace, Alexander Hleb. The former Arsenal and Barcelona schemer hasn’t quite settled back in Premier League, with McLeish claiming Hleb is still adjusting to his new surroundings although needs to produce the goods sooner rather than later if he’s to become a permanent figure in Birmingham.

Chelsea

League Position: 1st
League Form: WWLWL

If we’re to believe the media, defending league champions Chelsea are in turmoil following their third league defeat of the campaign, their second in as many games. Ravaged by injuries, manager Carlo Ancelotti has had his inept squad exposed and is set to name one of the youngest benches the Premiership has ever seen on Saturday in the wake of recent injury blows to defensive duo Alex and John Terry, while Frank Lampard’s  return to first-team action has been set back a further three weeks, thus rubbing a little more salt into the Italian manager’s wounds.

We wouldn’t go as far as saying Chelsea are at breaking point, however they are falling apart at the seams. Defensively, Carlo Ancelotti has run out of options and will now need to rely on the Branislav Ivanovic and Paulo Ferreria partnership getting the Blues through a sticky patch of form which has seen them suffer two defeats in their last three league matches, as well as having their lead at the top chopped down to size. Ashley Cole could further hamper Ancelotti’s team selection this weekend as the left-back withdrew from England duty in midweek after collecting a knock in the humiliating 3-0 home defeat at the hands of Sunderland. Incidentally, that was the heaviest defeat Chelsea have suffered at Stamford Bridge in over eight years and considering it was against a Sunderland side who only recently were battered 5-1 in the Tyne-Wear Derby, the humbling will take some getting over.

The Blues now have nothing to fall back on now that their immaculate home record has vanished from beneath them, and with the squad down to the bare bones, key players either out injury or carrying worrying knocks of illnesses, a trip to Birmingham, where Chelsea encountered an array of problems on their previous trip last term, certainly isn’t what the doctor ordered. Then again, victory over an opponent which frustrated them last season would go some way to remedying the problem at hand, which at the moment will be low morale. At the end of their match with Sunderland last Sunday, Chelsea looked so disenchanted is what frightening. After the third goal went in, in calamitous fashion we might add, not a single word was spoken. Without Terry to bark orders and let everyone know when mistakes were made, to basically keep everyone on their toes, Chelsea just aren’t the same side. Add the absence of Lampard in midfield and the under conditioning of Didier Drogba and what you have is a Chelsea side no longer boasting any sort of backbone.

On the back of such a dire results, utterly embarrassing for those which paid good money inside the stadium, and I do mean GOOD money, Chelsea surely aren’t worth backing at odds-on? To stamp my case further, the Blues have only won one of their last four away encounters and even that rare slice of away fortune was thoroughly;y undeserved. A 2-1 win away to Blackburn is their only win in their last four away league matches, a game in which Blackburn battered Chelsea for large periods and even took the lead through the uninspiring figure of Benjjani. Ivanovic let them off the hook with a late winner but it doesn’t do anywhere near enough to cover over the large cracks which have appeared in Chelsea’s away game, while those cracks are now beginning to creep into their overall game, with the walls close to coming down. Defeat on Saturday would certainly provide Carlo Ancelotti with plenty of food for thought, especially as a second consecutive barren weekend could spell the end to their season-long romance with the top of the table. And you not what’s scary of all? Another lose wouldn’t be all that surprising and is by no means out of the question.

Match Prediction: Draw – 3.75 Ladbrokes

It is top versus third from bottom and despite as much as 15 points separating the two sides before kick-off, I just wouldn’t feel comfortable selecting or backing Chelsea at the moment. Following their most emphatic home defeat for over eight years and against an opponent no-one would have ever dreamed would be the ones inflicting all the damage, morale low, confidence lost and key players missing… Chelsea are a scary proposition right now considering they’re such slim odds. Yes, Birmingham may well start proceedings inside the relegation zone but if I was a Premier League manager, Birmingham’s St Andrews stadium is one of the last places I would want to take my depleted, lost for wear ranks.

Only Everton have managed to etch out a league win at St Andrews this season, with Birmingham having previously been undefeated at home for their last 18 home encounters in the Premier League, whereas Chelsea have conjured just one away win from their last four away matches and even that came largely against the run of play and wasn’t entirely deserved. Moreover, Blackburn are the only team to have conceded against the Blues at home since the middle of September, with Chelsea failing to score at Man City, Aston Villa and Liverpool. Will Birmingham add their name to the list?

Selected Bet: Under 2.5 Goals – 1.83 Bet365

The worrying thing for this bet is actually Chelsea’s defence, something we didn’t think we would be criticising like this considering goalkeeper Petr Cech has kept eight clean sheets in his opening thirteen league matches this season. However, he had a full-strength defence in front of him for all eight of those matches, whereas Saturday’s line-up will be makeshift. No John Terry or Alex, meaning Ivanovic and Ferreira will start at centre-half – Let’s hope they’re in the same postcode this week, let alone the same wavelength as we trust Birmingham to make this a close, evenly fought contest.

Match Odds:

Birmingham City – 5.50 WilliamHill
Draw – 3.75 Ladbrokes
Chelsea – 1.73 Bet365

Manchester City V Birmingham City

Saturday, 13th November – 15:00 (GMT)
Venue: City of Manchester

Manchester City

League Position: 4th
League Form: WLLWD

You have to admire the beauty of the Premier League. Only a month or so ago City were putting an end to Chelsea’s powerhouse start to the season with a resolute display ending in a 1-0 success which caught the eye of the whole of Europe. Roberto Mancini was a tactical marvel and Carlos Tevez was once again the player for the big occasion. City were even touted for the title. We’re now in November and a couple of defeats, on-pitch bust ups, individuals reportedly already wanting out and a dismal team display in the Manchester Derby, have led to all those compliments vanishing into thin air, with City now lacking in noteworthy form and seven points adrift of Chelsea.

Brutal would be the most iconic way to describe the Premier League these days. So ruthless and competitive that within the blink of eye, all the hype and demands bestowed upon a team by the public can be harshly erased without a moments hesitation. In City’s case, their dreams of winning the Premier League now look slim according the most sources, and I wouldn’t disagree in the slightest – Mainly because their primary objective this season is to qualify for the Champions League, with any silverware a massive bonus. Of course, the amount of money spent by the owners is astonishing, ridiculous some might argue, and with that comes mass expectations. However, all the club are concerned about is getting into the greatest club competition on the planet, with the plan being that the rest should slot into place afterwards. It’s a shrewd plan, our only concern is whether Mancini is the right man to take City to the heights the club demands in years to come.

The problem we have with Man City is they aren’t a team. Too many ego’s in one club to form a compact and formidable unit, and those flaws are slowly but surely rising to the surface. During their run of back-to-back defeats with Arsenal and Wolves, the players were squabbling on the pitch instead of coming together to pull in the right direction like any other team would. City are a team which rely heavily on form and without it, they’re vulnerable. At the moment, I wouldn’t say the morale in camp is particularly despite putting an end to the momentary lapse in form. Collectively, City were useless and clueless against United; overrun in midfield and unsure what to do when not in possession, while they offered very little going forward. Amid all the off-pitch rumours and reports of strife and unrest, City were actually fortunate to escape Eastlands with a share of the spoils and probably wouldn’t of had their rivals been in peak physical condition.

After watching City on Wednesday, we were hugely disappointed that we plumped for them and piled our faith in Roberto Mancini growing a pair. Fortunately for him, he has built a team full of match winners, although he seems to have his hands tied when it comes to bringing them all together in unity. Individually, City can win any game and against those outside the top six or seven, you’d fancy City’s lavished stars to do the business. However, against the big boys, City will come unstuck unless they struck up a game plan and play as a team, something they did tremendously well earlier in the season against Chelsea but failed miserably against arch-rivals Manchester United. Expect one of their many ‘superstars’ to pop up with a winner on Saturday.

Birmingham City

League Position: 17th
League Form: LWDDL

Unlike his opposite number, Birmingham manager Alex McLeish does have his team singing from the same hymn sheet and as a result the Blues are one of the more consistent outfits around. Last season they were a tough nut to crack, finishing ninth in the table and making those who predicted they would be banished back down to the Championship look mighty foolish – Fortunately, we were not one of many. However, call it second season syndrome if you like, but Birmingham have struggled to be the same force this season, but then again the Blues were slow starters last season and it wasn’t until now that they really hit their peak form.

I wouldn’t necessarily say the novelty has worn off, but without their 18-match unbeaten run at home Birmingham quiet their formidable selves. With that said, they’re still one of the most stubborn teams you’ll face all season long and their never say die attitude shone through once again in midweek as Birmingham nearly pulled of a sensational comeback only to be denied any share of the spoils by a late Dean Whitehead strike. The goal, though, came through an uncharacteristic defensive error, something which was almost unheard of last season, and although mistakes haven’t been prominent in their play this season, the small margins which were going in their favour last term haven’t been swinging in their favour second time around.

So, despite a typical valiant effort from McLeish’s players at Stoke on Tuesday night, where the Blues came from 2-0 down to peg Stoke back to 2-2 before conceding a killer third late on, Birmingham now find themselves in uncharted territory – Hovering directly above the relegation zone in 17th. Another slip up on Saturday, where they face Manchester City at a venue where they’ve never taken a Premier League point, could see them drop into the bottom three for the very first time in over a year. And considering their record away to Man City in the league isn’t great, extremely poor in fact, as well as their recent three-match unbeaten coming to an end, the chances of Birmingham leaving Eastlands unscathed appear slim.

Along with their dire record in away meetings with the Citizens, Birmingham’s away record in general this season makes for dismal reading. Six outings have produced three wins and three draws, with the Blues having not won away from home in the league for over 8 months – 11 matches without winning on the road. Their last away win incidentally came away to Portsmouth who finished bottom of the league last season, could barely fielded a full set of subs and were beaten by most at Fratton Park. And that remains their only away win in the league in 2010 – Bodes well ahead of their trip to Eastlands.

Match Odds:

Manchester City – 1.44 WilliamHill
Draw – 4.50 Ladbrokes
Birmingham City – 10.00 SkyBet

Stoke City V Birmingham City

Tuesday, 9th November – 19:45 (GMT)
Venue: The Brittania
TV Coverage: Sky Sports HD2

Stoke City

League Position: 17th
League Form: WLLLL

They often say in football that underestimating the value of Lady Luck can be costly, but Stoke City must be wandering what on earth they’ve done in particular to enrage the proverbial Miss Luck. Not only are the Potters enduring their worst run of league form this season, having now lost four matches on the spin following their 2-0 defeat away to Sunderland at the weekend, but they’ve also been on the receiving end of numerous bad decisions, the vast majority down to poor officiating by England’s heavily criticised referees, and Stoke manager Tony Pulis must be worried sick at the possibility of his normally resilient players getting down in the dumps and feeling sorry for themselves as, in the Premier League, teams are so often punished for wallowing in self-pity, with Stoke often the masters are taking full advantage of other’s morale deficiencies.

An impressive four-match unbeaten run – 3 Wins and 1 Draw – during September through to the start of October will seem all but a distant memory to Stoke fans, who have now seen their side go as many matches without even picking up points let alone celebrate a winning performance. Their latest was a 2-0 loss away on Wearside against Sunderland, with goals from the club’s most expensive ever signing Asamoah Gyan sealing a fortuitous victory for the Black Cats as the Potters were once again left ruing dreadful officiating. The first incident occurred when Sunderland midfielder Lee Cattermole clearly blocked a Kenwyn Jones goal bound effort with his arm, with no penalty or card shown in Cattermole’s direction, while the second left manager Pulis irate as Ryan Shawcross received his marching orders for a nothing challenge late into the second half meaning Stoke will now have to do without the combative defender for the arrival of Birmingham on Tuesday night.

The problem for Stoke, and it has been an ever-present issue since the opening day, has been their consistency in conceding early goals. Saturday’s loss was the tenth occasion this season where Stoke found themselves behind in a league encounter, and that’s simply not good enough as the workload from then on is just too much. And it says it all when 90% of your goals occur in the second period of games, with lacklustre starts the catalyst for Stoke’s early season misery which now sees them occupy 17th position, just one place and a superior goal difference better off than relegation occupants Wigan Athletic. But there’s every chance of Stoke dropping into the relegation zone once again if they don’t get their act together straight from the kick-off on Tuesday.

Birmingham City

League Position: 15th
League Form: LLWDD

Blues manager Alex McLeish bemoaned his side’s lack of penetration in the first period last Saturday as Birmingham needed to produce a stunning second half comeback in order to take a share of the spoils away from their home encounter with bottom of the league West Ham, who battered them in the opening exchanges. Their lack of cutting edge has been a problem since the offset especially on the road, with Birmingham’s last away victory in the Premier League coming back in March when they beat the side whom finished rock-bottom of the league in Portsmouth – 10 away matches without a league win – and that remains the team’s only away league win in 2010.

Birmingham’s dismal away form is most definitely of concern to Alex McLeish, at least it should be, as we’ve quickly come to learn this season that the Blues aren’t quite their resilience selves at St Andrews, where they made life extremely difficult for every travelling opponent last season, so unless they start picking up more away points, McLeish may well find himself managing a team slap bang in a fight for Premiership survival come the latter stages of the season, where Birmingham came off the rails a little last term. With that said, Birmingham have faced a difficult away fixture list up till now, facing sides who are predominately better at home in Sunderland (2-2), Bolton (2-2), West Brom (1-0), Arsenal (2-1) and more recently City locals Aston Villa (0-0), so a trip to the Brittania, where the hosts where very much a formidable force on home soil last season but are currently rocking and out of sorts with their form and are certainly prime for the taking.

This was one of just five away fixtures last season where Birmingham left a venue with all three points, a 1-0 victory enough to seal a vital win. However, the Potters, who are enduring a difficult patch of form, are desperate for points and that may well work against Birmingham, who are enjoying a contrasting run of form as they arrive at The Brittania on the back of a three-match unbeaten run. The problem for the Blues, however, is their lack of a regular goal source, with the burden of scoring falling collectively on the team rather than one player in particularly. To some, Birmingham’s ability to spring a scorer up from out of nowhere may be a positive but we see it more as an issue, as the reliance on others bailing the likes of Cameron Jerome and Nikola Zigic, who have scored in recent league matches but don’t do it anywhere near enough on a regular basis, becomes all too apparent.

Match Prediction: Birmingham City to WIN – 3.60 Boylesports

It’s no secret that Stoke’s specialist subject is aerial battles, but they’ll meet their match in a Birmingham side who are more than capable to withstand the offensive pressure which the Potters put so many teams under at The Brittania. Liam Ridgewell and Roger Johnson are two of the Premier League’s unsung heros, two players which are very strong in the air and certainly don’t lack in courage, while the Blues also have Nikola Zigic to aid them in repelling Stoke’s aerial pursuit. Proof of this comes in the form of Birmingham’s 1-0 win at The Brittania last season so unless the Potters go straight back to the drawing board and focus on their technical play, we feel Birmingham could spring one of the surprise of the week, certainly at the odds.

Well organised, resolute, resilient and, ironically, a danger from set-plays, Birmingham are one of the value bets in midweek – Let’s hope that quote doesn’t come back to haunt us.

Selected Bet: Birmingham City to be Leading at Half-Time (HT Betting) – 4.33 Bet365

The Blues have opened the scoring in three of their opening five away league matches this season, all of which have occurred before half-time. Add this to Stoke’s frustrating habit of conceding first-half goals along with 90% of their goals coming in the second half, and you have a decent punt, according to the statistics, of Birmingham leading at half-time.

Match Odds:

Stoke City – 2.20 WilliamHill
Draw – 3.30 SkyBet
Birmingham City – 3.60 Boylesports

Birmingham City V West Ham

Saturday, 6th November – 15:00 Kick-off (GMT)
Venue: St Andrews

Birmingham City

League Position: 15th
League Form: DLLWD

Last Result: An evenly fought derby between hosts Aston Villa and Birmingham ended goalless as neither side could break open the deadlock. The result ended a miserable run of six successive league defeats for the Blues against the bitter locals.

Birmingham’s St Andrews stadium was a fortress for Alex McLeish’s side last season, where they went unbeaten against England’s traditional ‘Big Four’ of Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Man Utd, and even carried a 15 match unbeaten run at home into this season. However, the Blues could only extend that magnificent run by three games as Everton, who were without a win at the time, despatched them in a 2-0 defeat with some of the belief that second season syndrome was already wreaking havoc with the team which finished last season in ninth place, several places higher than anyone initially envisaged.

So, the objective for Alex McLeish and his players this weekend is to continuing the restructure of St Andrews, in restoring its fortress feel. It all went to plan two weeks ago as Birmingham bounced back from their first home defeat in the league for over a year by beating newly promoted Blackpool 2-0. On that occasion Alex McLeish pulled off a blinder with his tactics, squashing the Blackpool midfield and making them play their football in a rushed and untidy manner. Birmingham’s goals were scruffy, but they all count and the win was so important to the long-term stability of Birmingham, as you do worry that without the comforts of home to fall back on Birmingham may struggle to live up the heights which they manufactured themselves following a terrific 2009/2010 league campaign.

Mainly due to the fact that it was a dull contest, but we’ve only just noticed that we haven’t mentioned Birmingham’s recent exploits away to Aston Villa, where the ended a sequence of six successive league defeats to one of their local rivals by grounding out a 0-0 at Villa Park last Sunday. The Blues may even feel a little hard done by as they did have solid claims for a penalty, although the draw was a fair result for both sides as Birmingham fired blanks for the fourth time this season. Nevertheless, it did at least extend their unbeaten run to two games since suffering back-to-back losses against Everton and Arsenal, so McLeish has watched his players react positively to his recent rally calls.

The Blues are on the brink of recording a very much unwanted milestone this Saturday, with Birmingham having lost 99 Premiership matches. Defeat at the weekend would see them hit the magic 100, a feat they simply cannot avoid forever.

West Ham

League Position: 20th
League Form: WDDLL

Last Result: Despite a brave display from every single Hammers player, West Ham suffered a 1-0 loss away to Arsenal at The Emirates. The defeat will have hurt manager Avram Grant, who had seen his side battle gamely in a fixture few, particularly us, expected them to get nothing from. Arsenal’s winner came from Alex Song’s head two minutes from time.

According to reports, Avram Grant’s so far brief tenure as Hammers boss could be coming to stern halt quicker than many envisaged, with some corners of the media suggesting the former Chelsea and Portsmouth manager’s job is ‘hanging by a thread’ with the club enduring their worst ever start to a Premier League season and still reside at the very bottom of the table. And to make matters a whole lot worse for the Israeli, Grant lost the services of one of a select few in his team with the passion and desire needed to drag the team out of the deep hole they find themselves in, with midfielder schemer Mark Noble set to miss the next month of competitive action after undergoing an operation on his appendix.

As we’re all we aware, football today is a results business and if you’re not bringing home the bacon then expect your backside to be kicked right out of town. Six defeats from their opening ten league matches, a solitary win and just seven points to their name and West Ham are in dire straights. There is no feasible way of smoothing over the cold-hard facts that the Hammers are in deep, deep trouble. And it would appear that even the players have started to question Grant’s decisions after the Israelie made several strange substitutions last Saturday as the team fell to their six defeat of the season away to capital rivals Arsenal at The Emirates. Victor Obinna, a pacey wide outlet of which West Ham don’t really have anything similar nor as threatening, was replaced by a full-back in Faubert while top scorer Federic Piquionne was replaced by out of form Carlton Cole.

Even though West Ham’s performance at The Emirates last weekend was pleasing, with the Hammers more than holding their own for the vast majority of the game, the end product is all that counts I’m afraid. From a West Ham point of view, chances were few an far between but they did manage to frustrate the Gunners by restricting their amount of chances, while Robert Green had a typically decent day between the sticks against one of his former employer’s. But as we said, it will count for nothing and now, what with the Hammers rock-bottom of the table and four points adrift of safety, the speculation is rife that West Ham could be the next club to part ways with their manager.

The lifeline for Grant is the club’s upcoming fixtures with Birmingham City, West Brom and Blackpool are all very much winnable although that could prove a double-edged sword as the pressure on himself and his players will be enormous now that they embark upon the rare scenario where they, West Ham, are actually fancied in matches. The next three of four weeks could not only prove decisive in the future of manager Avram Grant but also the club as more disappointing results against the teams in and around them would leave them further adrift of safety and starring down the barrel of yet another relegation.

Match Prediction: Draw – 3.50 SkyBet

Not a match we’re too eager to get heavily involved with as Birmingham continue their damage limitations act at St Andrews against bottom of the league and very much in deep water West Ham. I think the latter few words just about say it all about the way we should swing with this one, with Birmingham getting the looking reignite their resilient home form and make it back-to-back home wins in the Premier League for the first time since March of last season. However, we have little confidence in either side right now and will instead plump for the draw in a match which has every chance of being as dull as they come in terms of the scoreline: 0-0 is available at 10.00 with Totesport and VCbet in case you were interested.

We watched the Hammers frustrate Arsenal at The Emirates last weekend and can honestly say they did a million times better than anyone expected, with most – A prolific Arsenal up against rock-bottom West Ham – envisaging a cricket scoreline. But Avram Grant’s men stuck to the task admirably. However, this is a different assignment altogether, with the last always going to be a backs against the wall job whereas this one West Ham know they must be more adventurous in a fixture just as difficult but still presents itself as one which can be won. And if West Ham do play with a little more vigour and adventure, as we expect, then we fancy Birmingham’s chances of exploiting the gaps in a very leaky Hammers defence.

Selected Bet: Both Teams to Score (NO) – bWin

The Blues have kept three clean sheets in their last four home league matches, although have failed to score in three of those four as well. It’s fair to say that St Andrews isn’t the most entertaining venues to watch your football and this fixture doesn’t have the makings of a thriller either.

Match Odds:

Birmingham City – 2.05 WilliamHill
Draw – 3.50 SkyBet
West Ham – 4.20 Bet365

Aston Villa V Birmingham City

Sunday, 31st October – 12:00 (GMT)
Venue: Villa Park

Aston Villa

League Position: 10th
League Form: DWLWL

The Villa fans won’t care one little bit about how their side go about winning Sunday’s eagerly anticipated fixture with the locals, just so long as they’re the ones celebrating come full-time. Previous clashes have often been tight, very tight in fact, with four of the last six being decided by the odd goal, but more importantly the previous six Premier League meetings have all gone the way of Aston Villa. Six years Villa fans have enjoyed bragging rights in Birmingham, ever since Birmingham did the double over them during the 2004/2005 season, but Aston Villa haven’t looked back since and will fancy their chances of making it the magic seven on Sunday.

The Carling Cup proved a commodity for Gerard Houllier during his time with Liverpool, where he lifted the trophy twice as manager of the Reds, so it wasn’t at all surprising to see the Frenchman select a very strong starting XI during the week for Villa’s fourth round Carling Cup clash with Burnley. Villa, though, were put through their paces by Championship side Burnley and were made to dig deep and play an extra 30 minutes before eventually sealing progression into the next round through Stewart Downing, who has been in sparkling form all season and extended his scoring tally to four in all competitions this term. However, victory came at a price as Marc Albrighton, one of Villa’s brightest sparks this season, seen red during the week and will now miss the next three games as a result.

It’s back to business for Gerard Houllier and his Villa troops though, back to the Premier League where they haven’t won since the end of September, going the last three matches without a win. The rut started with a disappointing 201 loss away to Spurs, disappointing because Villa were unfortunate not to have drawn that game, while their drought was extended with a 0-0 draw at home to Chelsea and more recently a 1-0 defeat away to Sunderland, which was once again an unfortunate result in a game Villa most certainly deserved something from. It was also a match where Richard Dunne set a new record for the most amount of own goals scored in the Premier League, with the Republic of Ireland defender taking his tally to 8.

While a three-match run without a win is a tad disconcerting, Villa’s recent fixture list has been torrid to say the least. They played as well as could be expected at White Hart Lane against Tottenham, held their own against Chelsea at Villa Park two weeks ago and should not have lost away to Sunderland last Saturday. The performances have been good, they’ve just been a little unlucky with the end result. Still, they have a chance here to get their tails wagging once again, and victory over Birmingham would put their recent league woes well and truly to the back of Villa fans’ minds, that’s for sure.

* Gabriel Agbonlahor has scored in his three of his last four Birmingham Derbies.

Birmingham City

League Position: 12th
League Form: LDLLW

The Blues have found their vigour again after two very enjoyable outings in the Premier League and Carling Cup which has seen them register back-to-back wins within the space of just four days. Their positive turn of foot form wise came at just the right time as well as next up in the league is bitter foes Aston Villa, who Birmingham haven’t even taken a single point off in their last six meetings with the Villains.

It has been a difficult start to the season for Birmingham City and their fans, with supporters having to wait until the eighth game of the season to view their team win just their second game of the campaign. Blackpool were the unlucky victims as Alex McLeish did a number on Tangerines boss Ian Holloway, tactically bossing the affair from start to finish and never really looked like dropping points in a fixture which we thought would cause them a few problems on paper seeing as Blackpool’s better efforts thus far have come on the road. Liam Ridgewell shrugged off his injury to score the Blues’ first before Nikola Zigic added a second with his second goal in as many games.

Alex McLeish did what any manager would under the circumstances in midweek, making wholesale changes for the team’s fourth round Carling Cup clash with Brentford as he aimed to keep his key figures fresh for Sunday’s tantalising contest with Birmingham locals Aston Villa. However, the Scot nearly paid a heavy price as his team struggled to get to grips with their League One opponents and were so nearly made to looks the fools of round four when the Bees took an early lead only for Kevin Phillips to pop up in stoppage time with a reprieve. Birmingham prevailed on penalties in the end but it was yet another unconvincing performance from Birmingham as their indifferent start to the season shows no signs of letting up.

The Birmingham boss will nonetheless by delighted that his team sailed through into the next round for the draw for the quarter-finals without having too play too many of his big guns meaning he should have no fresh injuries to contend with ahead of a massive fixture, arguably the biggest of the season in the eyes of supporters. Ben Foster, Barry Ferguson and Nikola Zigic are among those expected to return to the starting fold, as is Craig Gardner whom hasn’t featured in the league since seeing red in the 0-0 draw at home with Wigan last month.

* Lee Bowyer has picked up three cautions in the league this season, all of which have come away from home.

Match Prediction: Aston Villa to WIN – 1.87 Boylesports

Last season Birmingham were so difficult to oppose, rarely did we fancy our chances of backing against them due to their resilient qualities and their sheer hunger to avoid defeat at all costs. I wouldn’t say all those qualities have disappeared but they certainly aren’t as prominent as they were this time around, with second season syndrome certainly sneaking into their system. They were better last weekend when despatching of Blackpool 2-0, arguably their most accomplished performance of the season, but their opponents were poor on the day and unless Villa perform just as bad, I don’t see how they’ll trouble Villa for the points.

Losing Marc Albrighton is huge, he’s been a nuisance out on the right-wing with his pace, while the absence of Stylian Petrov in the heart of the midfield is also going to be felt, but there’s still too much class left at Houllier’s disposal to ensure Villa win their seventh successive Birmingham Derby. Stewart Downing has been playing well all season, even get in amongst the goals as well, while even Emile Heskey is benefiting from Houllier’s presence on the touchline. The England flop has been one of Villa’s top performers in the wake of injuries to Gabby Agbonlahor and John Carew, scoring his third goal of the season in midweek as Villa made a return to winning ways, albeit with the need of extra-time. Even so, I have enough confidence in this Villa team, with the core extremely strong right the way through: Friedel, Dunne, Reo-Coker and Heskey, while the thrills around the edges – Downing, Stephen Ireland & Ashley Young – just make Villa such a tasty proposition.

Over/Under: Under 2.5 Goals – 1.88 Bet365
Correct Score: 2-0 Aston Villa – 9.00 StanJames
First Goalscorer: Stephen Ireland – 12.00 PaddyPower

Selected Bet: Aston Villa to WIN to NIL – 3.25 Ladbrokes

Match Odds:

Aston Villa – 1.87 Boylesports
Draw – 3.50 Bet365
Birmingham City – 5.00 BetFred