Blues Take On Tottenham

Despite the laughable comments about Blues costing England the World Cup by the happy-clappy brigade, Birmingham have survived and are in one piece to take on high flying Tottenham.

This won't be an easy game, Spurs are not up there challenging for a top four place for nothing, Harry Redknapp is putting together a fine team and with the likes of Bale and van der Vart in it, they will take a lot of stopping from reaching their goal. (although the latter is out injured)

But we know what Blues are like at home and although there is bound to be tired legs out there after the midweek game, Alez McLeish's men will make sure Tottenham know they have been in a battle.

Lets just hope there isn't a world disaster that takes place on Saturday or we'll get the blame for that as well.

Alex McLeish:"I heard some unkind comments like 'Bambi on ice`. Zigic has a style of play and he`s getting more used to the English game.

"Zigic has never been an aggressive player, more a technical, European type. He definitely worries defenders.

"I hope Tottenham are going down the road after saying St Andrew`s is a tough place."

Birmingham will be without Alexander Hleb for up to three weeks with a calf strain.

The injury meant the midfielder missed the Carling Cup match against Aston Villa in midweek but manager Alex McLeish revealed it is more serious than originally thought.

Craig Gardner could return to the starting line-up for the match against Tottenham in place of Lee Bowyer after coming off the bench on Wednesday.

Blues (from): Foster, Carr, Murphy, Bowyer, Johnson, Ridgewell, Larsson, Gardner, Jerome, Ferguson, Doyle, Dann, Madera, Fahey, Zigic, Valles, Parnaby, Beausejour, O'Shea, Redmond, Jiranek, Phillips.

A goalkeeper that is in fine form of late, brings confidence to the defence.

Michael Dawson returns to the Tottenham squad for the first time since August for the game at St Andrew's.

England defender Dawson will be on the bench after recovering from the knee ligament damage suffered on international duty three months ago.

His return is a boost, with Younes Kaboul (hip) sidelined, while Rafael van der Vaart (hamstring) and Jermaine Jenas (calf) are also out, and captain Ledley King (groin), Jamie O'Hara (back) and Jonathan Woodgate (groin) are longer-term absentees.

Tottenham (from): Gomes, Cudicini, Hutton, Corluka, Bale, Dawson, Gallas, Bassong, Assou-Ekotto, Palacios, Sandro, Kranjcar, Lennon, Bentley, Modric, Crouch, Pavlyuchenko, Keane, Defoe.

One word needed to describe this lad.... Brilliant.

Tottenham have won just one of their six Premier League matches against Birmingham at St Andrew's.

Blues have only managed to win three out of their 12 Premier League clashes with Tottenham.

This is the 93rd meeting between the sides. Tottenham have won 44 times, Birmingham 28 and there have been 20 draws.

Blues have had fewer shots in the Premier League than any other team this season.

St Andrew's has seen just 12 goals this season, the joint-fewest of any stadium.

Former Tottenham player Stephen Carr will be making his 450th club career appearance.

Tottenham have accrued 16 points from losing positions this season, more than any other club in the division.

Spurs have missed eight of their last 15 penalties in all competitions, and Jermain Defoe has failed to score with five of his last six.

They have only won one game outside London this season in all competitions (v Stoke).

(source - BBC)

Referee - Kevin Friend.

Assistant 1 - Stuart Burt

Assistant 2 - Patrick Keane

4th Official - Mark Clattenburg.

I'm going for a 1-1 draw.

Sun. 12 13:30 GMT Wolverhampton Wanderers v Birmingham.

Sat. 18 15:00 GMT Birmingham v Newcastle United

Sun. 26 15:00 GMT Everton v Birmingham

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