Follow every kick as Birmingham City take on Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League
on 07-Feb-2010, kick off time 13:30
Birmingham City v Wolverhampton Wanderers Live
Midlands eyes will be lit up ahead of this derby clash between Birmingham City and Wolverhampton Wanderers at St Andrew's on Sunday afternoon. Alex McLeish has helped guide his side into the upper reaches of the Premier League table following an excellent 12-game unbeaten run that was recently halted when they crashed 3-0 at title-elect Chelsea. The Blues grabbed a late equaliser thanks to Liam Ridgewell last weekend in a 1-1 draw against Tottenham Hotspur and their resilience, which has aided them through the first half of the campaign, was evident again against Harry Redknapp's team. McLeish may be well aware though that his over-achieving side have won just once in their last six games and three points and bragging rights against this weekend's opponents will be high on his priority list. They possess an imposing home record that has helped propel them to eighth position and, after conceding just seven times in 12 games, Mick McCarthy's visitors have a tough task on their hands to break their back-line. His gallant outfit are in poor form and at the wrong end of the table but they would like nothing more than a win over their near rivals. Just two points from their last five fixtures have placed them one spot outside the drop-zone though. Despite this, successive draws - a goalless bore at home to Liverpool and a battling 2-2 stalemate at Hull City - has slightly improved their predicament. Matthew Jarvis, whose strike rescued a point at the KC Stadium last Saturday, will be hoping to get among the goals once more as Wolves look to quell any immediate relegation fears. But with Cameron Jerome looking sharp for Birmingham of late, he will fancy his chances against a defence that has conceded 23 on their travels this term. The hosts will be without Lee Carsley (ankle) and Garry O'Connor (hip) while Teemu Tainio (knee) and Kevin Phillips (groin) face a race against time to make the team-sheet. McCarthy has a few injury problems ahead of him with giant striker Stefan Maierhofer (groin), Michael Kightly, David Edwards and Andrew Keogh (all ankle) missing. Beleaguered goalkeeper Matt Murray will be out until the summer at the earliest following another long-term knee injury.
Source: DSG
