Follow every kick as Birmingham City take on West Ham United at St Andrews Stadium in the Premier League
on 12-Dec-2009, kick off time 15:00
Birmingham City v West Ham United Live
Match Preview
In-form Birmingham City welcome West Ham United to St. Andrew's on Saturday with both teams chasing three points to aid their differing battles at opposite ends of the Premier League table. City have crept up into ninth place on the back of an excellent run of results that has brought about three successive wins - against Fulham, Wolverhampton Wanderers and more recently at Wigan Athletic - and they remain undefeated in six, picking up an impressive 14 points from a possible 18.
On the contrary, Gianfranco Zola's men sit just one place outside the relegation zone with just three wins to their name all season. Saturday's 4-0 home reversal against Manchester United has left a lot of Hammers fans frowning and, with a debilitating injury list, the woes go on. Midfielder Mark Noble and goalkeeper Robert Green have contracted a virus and they face a race against time to be fit for the weekend.
Youngster Zavon Hines has injured a knee while Luis Jimenez (groin) and Matthew Upson (hamstring) are big doubts. Long-term absentees Dean Ashton and Luis Boa Morte remain sidelined as does Calum Davenport, while England striker Carlton Cole has already been ruled out until January with a knee problem. Beleaguered boss Zola's troubles don't seem to be subsiding and he could do with some money to splurge in the January transfer window if he is to get his team out of the mire they find themselves in.
Alex McLeish's Blues outfit are riding the crest of the wave at the moment and he will be hoping for this to continue over the festive period. With another home clash against Blackburn Rovers to come before a trip to Everton and title-chasing Chelsea coming to town, the Blues have an excellent opportunity to consolidate their unlikely European charge. They remain without injury victims Kevin Phillips and Martin Taylor (both ankle), Teemu Tainio and David Murphy (both knee), Garry O'Connor (hip) and Stuart Parnaby (back).
Source: DSG
