SWANSEA V BLUES PREVIEW
Alex McLeish's side face a stern test this evening as they travel down to South Wales to take on Swansea in a Championship fixture.
The Blues boss will be looking for his team to build on last weekend's victory over Charlton as they look to close the gap on League leaders Wolves.
Here is everything you need to know ahead of the big game.
TEAM NEWS
Blues
Nigel Quashie misses out as he serves a one match suspension after being sent off against the Addicks last week.
David Murphy is fit again after recovering from his knee injury, but the left back will have to bide his time on the sidelines because of the excellent form of Franck Queudrue.
Injury wise Blues are still without Garry O'Connor, Stuart Parnaby, Stephen Kelly, Gary McSheffrey and Damien Johnson.
Swansea
Goalkeeper Artur Krysiak, who is currently on a three month loan deal with the Swans, is ineligible to take part in the game.
Former Blues defender Marcos Painter is definitely ruled out as he recovers
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Marcos Painter |
Goalkeeper Dorus de Vries is back in contention after recovering from a fractured jaw. Leon Britton (back) and Tom Butler (thigh) will both have late fitness tests, but Andrea Orlandi (thigh) and Joe Allen (ankle) are definitely out.
FORM GUIDE
Blues
Blues go into the game having regained a measure of confidence after their hard fought win against Charlton.
The victory was their first in four games and followed on from a draw against Nottingham Forest and defeats to Coventry and QPR.
Despite this dip in form Alex McLeish's side still occupy second spot in the table.
Swansea
Swansea have a formidable record at the Liberty Stadium this season.
They have won four and drawn four of their home fixtures and are the only team in the Championship other than Reading to remain unbeaten at home.
After winning promotion from League One last season, Roberto Martinez's side have made an excellent start to their season and currently sit in seventh spot in the table.
Their recent form has seen them win two, draw one and lose one of their last four games.
MANAGERS' COMMENTS
Alex McLeish
You can see Martinez's identity on the team because he's got them passing the ball around.
They have not let themselves down at all coming into this division and instead of just consolidating they're trying to shoot for the moon and get themselves into a position on the verge of the play off places.
I'm sure they'll aim for higher than that, but they certainly haven't looked phased by the opposition and the players are a credit to their manager.
He's worked hard on their style of play and it has worked for them.
We have to be mindful that going to places like Swansea in terms of aspirations for the Premier League we've to going and looking to win.
We've disappointed recently on our travels but we've got to be looking to go and win this game.
Roberto Martinez
Birmingham have got the strongest squad in the division without a doubt.
They are a Premier League side playing in the Championship this season and, while that doesn't guarantee you anything, it really helps.
People talk about their strikers, but they are very strong in every department.
They do not concede many goals and they can score from all over the pitch out of nothing.
They do not have a weakness and, if you could choose, you'd only want to play them once a season rather than twice.
It's a compliment to us that we are up against a club like in Birmingham in a competitive match because it shows how far we've come.
But at the same time we know that we're going to have to be at the very top of our game if we want to compete.
Relegated on the final day of last season, Birmingham still boast a host of players with top-flight quality.
They are one of the three outstanding clubs in the Championship along with Reading and Wolves.
They have big-name players, experience and great financial possibilities."
LAST MEETING IN SWANSEA
The last time the two sides met in South Wales was at Swansea's former Stadium, Vetch Field, on August 27 2004.
Ex-Blues favourite Steve Claridge netted both goals as Blues returned to the Midlands with a 2-0 win.
During their history Blues have played the Swans a total of 27 times and of those games have won 14, drawn six and lost seven.
BETTING
Swansea are slight favourites to win the game at odds of 6/4 with Bet365. The draw is on offer at 23/10 and a Blues victory at 7/4.
If you think Blues can pick up a narrow 1-0 win at the Liberty Stadium the odds are 13/2. The same scoreline with James McFadden scoring the only goal can be had for 40/1.
Click here for the full range of odds.
MATCH COMMENTARY
If you're not going to the Liberty Stadium, you can listen to full 90 minutes commentary of the game on Blues World.
The official website, bcfc.com, will have a match report available minutes after the final whistle along with McLeish's post-match comments.
TICKETS
No further tickets are available to Blues fans for this game.
