With the games coming thick and fast, Blues welcome Preston North End to St Andrews.
Build Up
With no win in four and only one win all season Harry Redknapp will no doubt be feeling the need for some good results. A positive performance at Leeds United will give him hope though.
Harry does have a slight selection headache with Che Adams and Jota out injured. Jacques Maghoma or Liam Walsh could start in place of the injured Jota.
Preston are another team that have had a good start to the season beating Cardiff City 3-0 on Tuesday and will provide a tough test once again for a Blues side that is still settling in and finding itself.
With three wins, three draws and just one defeat Alex Neil’s team will be hopeful of taking all three points away from St Andrews. Neil’s team have only conceded two goals so far but are shy up front and have only scored six in their seven games.
Opposition Opinion
With Preston off to a flyer we asked blogger and North end fan Alex Atkinson for his thoughts on todays match.
We have had a great start to the season, previous campaigns under ex Simon Grayson didn’t start well but under Alex Neil things are looking good.
A midweek win over early pace setters Cardiff was no surprise after numerous excellent performances against various league favourites. Lack of goals could be a sticking point for Preston as they look to continue their fine form.
Birmingham seem to be struggling so far this season, with Redknapp at the realm. Sure to be a great match, a tough one to call.
Lineups
With a good performance on Tuesday night we don’t expect the shape to change too much. One forced change sees Jota needing to be replaced and we think Jacques Maghoma will come in for him. We also think Harry might be a bit more adventurous with the midfield, potentially bringing Everton loanee Liam Walsh in. We feel there could be changes made at the back with captain Michael Morrison looking shaky at times.
This week we have local celebrity, Blues vlogger DavoBirmingham picking his team for the game. Davo picked the following team and is predicting a half time score of 0-0, however 1-0 at full time with Vassell to grab the winner from the bench.
Previous Meetings
Tuesday 15th December 2015 – Championship
Preston 1-1 Birmingham city
Blues visited Deepdale on a cold Tuesday evening in December. Preston took the lead before Micheal Morrison grabbed an equaliser. Blues were camped in the Preston half and did everything but score the winner and came away with a point when three looked a certainty.
Saturday 22nd September 1894 – League Division One
Preston North End 0-1 Small Heath
The first meeting between the two clubs was way back in 1894. A single goal from Tommy Hands gave Small Heath victory in their third season in the top division.
Thursday 17 May 2001
Preston 2-1 Birmingham City
Blues and Preston met in the play offs of 2001 with Preston running out 4-2 winners on penalties after a 2-2 aggregate draw. In the first leg at St andrews a 55th mintue goal from Nicky Eaden gave Blues the advantage. In the second leg at Deepdale, David Healy gave Preston the lead before Geoff Horsfield Equalised. Former Wolves Striker Mark Rankine then scored the winner to take the game into extra time. Neither side could find a winner so we went to penalties. Marcelo had his penalty saved and Darren Purse missed. Preston scored four out of their five to go through to the final where they lost to Bolton Wanderers.
Played For Both
Frank Worthington
Worthington started his career at Huddersfield Town where he went onto to score 41 goals in 171 appearances. After a spell with Leicester city and Bolton he joined Blues. During his three year spell at st Andrews he scored 29 goals. After spells at a number of clubs he signed for Preston in 1987. It didn’t last long and he soon moved onto Stockport county. He made 8 england appearances and played over 750 games.
Darren Carter
Solihull born Carter started his career with Birmingham City and scored the penalty in the play off final against Norwich to take the Blues into the Premier League. After a loan spell at Sunderland he left St Andrews and joined West Bromwich Albion for £1.5 million. He signed for Preston and made 94 appearances.
Andy Saville
Saville left Blues for Preston in 1995 after playing 59 games. He played 56 for Preston and scored 30 goals.
Referee
Keith Stroud.
Its Stroud’s second game of the season. His other game was Bradford against Peterboroughand he gave out two red cards and eight yellows. In his last visit to St Andrews he sent off Jack Storer.