Blues Take On Blackburn Rovs

Blues will be looking for their first home win of the season at the first time of asking, but standing in their way will be a resiliant Sam Allardyce side that won't want to give anything away.

BBC football pundit Mark Lawrenson: "Birmingham came back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with Sunderland last week so there is clearly nothing wrong with team spirit at St Andrews. Manager Alex McLeish has added to his squad by signing Matt Derbyshire this week but I am not sure how fit the former Blackburn player is and whether he will start against his former club.

"Blackburn are very strong at home but not as powerful on their travels. It will be a blow if David Dunn misses the game because he is their playmaker. He bridges the gap between midfield and the front players and makes things happen. I am going for a home win.

Prediction: 2-1."

New signing Matt Derbyshire will make his Birmingham debut in their Premier League match against his old side Blackburn at St Andrews.

The former Rovers striker joined the Blues this week from Greek side Olympiacos on a season-long loan.

Nikola Zigic will also be pushing for a start up front after impressing off the bench in the 2-2 draw at Sunderland last week while Kevin Phillips (thigh) is the only definite absentee.

Blues new signing is going to have Blackburn very worried. They know only too well what he can do.

David Dunn is set to miss out when Blackburn travel to his old club Birmingham.

The midfielder picked up a groin injury in last week's 1-0 win over Everton and is not expected to be fit for selection until after the match at St Andrew's.

One game and one goal already for Blackburn this season.

Blues have won their last five home games against Blackburn.

Alex McLeish's men are unbeaten in their last 15 top-flight games at St Andrew's. They suffered only two home defeats last term, losing to Aston Villa and Bolton.

Rovers have scored in each of their last 22 top-flight matches against Birmingham since a 1-0 away defeat in April 1960.

Rovers scored 59% of their league goals last season from set-pieces - the highest figure in the top flight.

Michael Oliver Location: Northumberland Details: Started refereeing at fourteen years of age and reached the National List of Referees only eight years later, joining his father on the Referees list. Morpeth Sunday League was his first in senior football and he reached the National List of assistants in 2004. Has already experienced Football league Play Off Semi Finals as an assistant referee and became the youngest National List match official to referee at Wembley when refereeing the Conference Play Off Final in May 2007.

3-1 Blues

League Cup Birmingham vs Rochdale 26-08-2010

Premier Bolton vs Birmingham 29-08-2010

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