Source: SKY_Sports
Birmingham v Portsmouth preview
Birmingham City host Portsmouth in their first Premier League home game of the 2009/10 season.
The Blues, who achieved promotion after finishing second in the Championship last term, suffered a 1-0 defeat at Manchester United on Sunday.
But manager Alex McLeish was encouraged by what he saw at Old Trafford as his side battled versus the English champions and almost nicked an unlikely goal in the second half.
McLeish will now be seeking a positive result on Wednesday evening as his side welcome Pompey, who have been tipped to struggle this campaign, to St Andrews.
Portsmouth were also defeated 1-0 at the weekend - versus Fulham - and head coach Paul Hart will be demanding better from his players, with some voicing their concern at the uncertainty surrounding the club.
Sulaiman Al Fahim's proposed takeover at Fratton Park continues to rumble on, but Pompey will be looking to focus on matters on the pitch when they head to the Midlands.
Team newsMcLeish is mulling over whether to give a full debut to striker Christian Benitez against the South Coast outfit.
The Ecuador international impressed as a late substitute during the 1-0 defeat at United.
McLeish operated with a single striker for most of the game at Old Trafford and has to decide whether to revert to a 4-4-2 system against Paul Hart's side.
The Scot will select from the same 18 players with midfielder Lee Bowyer still suspended after his sending-off at the tail end of last season.
Anthony Vanden Borre has been handed international clearance and could make his Portsmouth debut against Birmingham.
Manager Hart could draft the Belgian right-back, who is on a season-long loan at Fratton Park, into his side.
Steve Finnan and Herman Hreidarsson are recovering from hamstring problems, but Hart has no fresh injury worries following last Saturday's home defeat to Fulham.
Possible starting XIsBirmingham: Hart, Carr, R Johnson, Queudrue, Vignal, Larsson, Carsley, Ferguson, McFadden, Jerome, Benitez.
Portsmouth: James, Vanden Borre, Distin, Kaboul, Hreidarsson, Kranjcar, Diop, Mokoena, Belhadj, Utaka, Piquionne.
