BLUES V WOLVES MATCH PREVIEW
Blues find themselves up against a fellow promoted side on Sunday as they play host to Wolves at St. Andrew's.
Since returning to the Barclays Premier League at the end of last season it is Blues who have adapted the better of the two to English football's top flight.
Alex McLeish's side remain in an eighth spot, whilst Mick McCarthy's men are desperately looking to climb away from the relegation zone as they occupy 17th place.
Blues, who are unbeaten at St. Andrew's since their 2-1 defeat to Bolton back in late September, go into Sunday's lunchtime game on the back of a hard fought 1-1 draw against Champions League hopefuls Spurs.
Meanwhile Wolves have gone five games without a win and in their most recent outing were beaten 3-1 by Championship side Crystal Palace in a midweek FA Cup fourth round replay.
TEAM NEWS
Blues
Striker Kevin Phillips returns to the squad after missing Blues' last three games with a groin injury.
Blues will definitely be without Garry O'Connor (hip) and Lee Carsley (ankle).
Wolves
Wolves have Kevin Doyle, Matt Jarvis, Stephen Ward and Marcus Hahnemann available again after the quartet missed the Palace game on Tuesday
Midfielder Adlene Guedioura is also in contention after being ineligible for the FA Cup defeat following his loan move from Charleroi last month.
Definitely out are Stefan Maierhofer (groin), David Edwards (ankle), Andy Keogh (ankle) and Michael Kightly (ankle).
LINE-UPS LAST LEAGUE MATCH
Blues (Drew 1-1 v Spurs, h): Hart, Ridgewell, Carr, Dann, Johnson, Bowyer (Madera, 65), Larsson (Fahey, 58), Ferguson, Jerome, Benitez, McFadden.
Subs not used: Damien Johnson, Maik Taylor, Gardner, Queudrue, Vignal.
Wolves (Drew 2-2 v Hull, a): Hahnemann, Foley (Stearman, 89), Berra, Craddock, Mancienne, Zubar, Henry, Jarvis (Guedioura, 89), David Jones, Stephen Ward (Mujangi Bia, 89), Doyle.
Subs not used: Ebanks-Blake, Hennessey, Vokes, Milijas.
MANAGER'S COMMENTS
Alex McLeish
"The sign of a good team was the way they fought back against Spurs.
"We reminded the players of their will to win and their perseverance and sure enough they came good.
"It was very important for the mental toughness side that they got that result.
"They felt good about themselves despite not playing at the levels they are capable of and they still managed to get something from that game and that's the sign of a strong team.
"Wolves is a hugely important game.
"You can't dismiss any derby and say 'this is not the same as the Villa one'.
"Every derby is important and I think you have to pay every one of them the same level of importance.
"But we are at home against Wolves, they are our neighbours and we want to win it and Wolves want to win it as well, but we believe that home advantage will give us the edge.
"If we don't win it's not the end of the world but the players are determined to win this game and if we did we would be another three points closer to where we want to be.
"The players have had a good week in terms of rest - both resting their minds and the physical side of things, so there's no reason they shouldn't be fresh going into Sunday."
Mick McCarthy
"We just didn't play well (against Crystal Palace). It is the worst we have played in the three-and-a-half years I have been here.
"I never saw it coming but I am not going to dwell on it any longer.
"We have had a good response in training but the response I am requiring is on Sunday.
"The last thing I will say about it is there is only one good thing to come out of the game and that is that we can't play worse than that and we have to play better.
"It is perfect motivation for a local derby and we have played well in the Premier League.
"We have put in some really good performances and I would envisage another good one on Sunday.
"They (Blues) came to Molineux in November and beat us deservedly. They are having a fabulous season.
"At the moment they have got the balance right. They are hard to beat and if you remain that and stay in games they are always likely to nick a goal because they have got some good players.
"The important thing for us to stay in games and not be 1-0 down and chasing it.
"It is a pressurised game but more so for us than them. I think the only pressure on Birmingham is that they are playing their local rivals.
"They have been fabulous and I don't think there is too much pressure on Alex McLeish.
"There is no question they have a bit more experience than us.
"Stephen Carr and Liam Ridgewell have got experience, the two centre-halves, Scott Dann and Roger Johnson, have been excellent and I never doubted they would be.
"Barry Ferguson and Lee Bowyer in the middle of the park are both very experienced players.
"Sebastian Larsson, wide right, and James McFadden, wide left, are both very experienced in the Premier League.
"They have got more experience than us. There is no doubt about that and I think that has certainly helped them."
MAN IN THE MIDDLE
Referee Lee Probert will take charge of Sunday's game.
The Wiltshire-based official has refereed 20 games so far this season, in which he has produced a total of 62 yellow cards and two reds.
The last Blues game he refereed was the club's 3-2 win away at Wigan in December.
On that occasion he booked two Wigan players, but none for Blues.
Mr Probert will be assisted by Mike Cairns from Somerset and Rob Lewis from Shropshire.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS
Blues will be looking to complete their first league double of the season having beaten Wolves at Molineux back in November courtesy of a Lee Bowyer strike.
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Lee Bowyer |
Blues' last win against Wolves at St. Andrew's came last season in the big clash of the Championship promotion hopefuls with Garry O'Connor and Cameron Jerome doing the damage. Wolves last won a league game at St. Andrew's back in 1999.
BETTING
Blues are strong favourites to win Sunday's game with Bet365 at odds of 4/5. The draw is priced at 12/5 and Wolves win at 4/1.
For the full range of markets available click here.
Remember every bet you make with Bet365 benefits the club.
MATCH COMMENTARY
You can listen to full 90 minutes commentary from St. Andrew's on Blues Player.
To access Blues player, please click HERE.
The official website, bcfc.com, will have a match report on the site minutes after the final whistle.
WEATHER FORECAST
The weather forecast for Birmingham on Sunday is a cloudy day with a maximum temperature of five degrees Centigrade.
TICKETS
Tickets are still available for Sunday's game priced at just £7 for under 12's, £12 for concessions and £20 for adults (except Club Class).
Click here for full details and purchasing arrangements.
OTHER BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES ON SUNDAY
Chelsea v Arsenal
