With 44 points already on the board, Alex McLeish can relax. Birmingham’s Premiership safety is guaranteed, and with the club out of the FA Cup and unlikely to fill the European places come the end of the season, whatever XI the Blues gaffer sends out for the remaining league matches has the luxury of taking to the pitch with the pressure off.
This Birmingham squad, however, are not taking things easy; McLeish’s boys are tough nuts to crack and their battling qualities were once again to the fore last weekend, coming back from 0-2 down to Everton to grab a 2-2 draw in front of their own fans at St Andrews…
Opponents
Big Eck takes his team to the Stadium of Light to face a Sunderland side desperate for points as Steve Bruce looks to guide them to safety. The Black Cats have been beaten just twice at home all season, and were only denied two successive home wins by local boy Adam Johnson’s late equaliser for Man City on Sunday. Their last 5 home games has seen 3 clean sheets, with only 2 goals conceded.
Birmingham -with just one away clean sheet since November- then travel to Blackburn, another team with great home form. Rovers have picked up 28 of their 34 league points at Ewood Park, and have won the last four home games on the trot, recording three clean sheets in the process. Big Sam will be looking to pick his team up after two defeats on the road, away to his good mate Rafa at Liverpool, followed by a defeat to ‘Arry’s Spurs.
Birmingham are a decent side on the road, however, and have won five times on their travels, a figure only bettered by the top three.
Current Form
Earlier in the season, Birmingham proved the doubters wrong by going on a fantastic twelve match unbeaten league run, picking up six clean sheets in the process.
In the subsequent eight games, they have picked up just one clean sheet, winning three, losing three and drawing two. The Blues are unbeaten in their last three though, with last weekend’s great performance against Everton indicative of the spirit instilled by their manager.
Rotation Risk
With defence the key to Birmingham’s game, McLeish has chosen to keep the same back four and rotated his midfield and forwards in recent games, citing fatigue as a reason for a downturn in certain individual’s performances.
Larsson, McFadden, Bowyer and Benitez have seen their minutes diminished recently, with the likes of Michel, Gardner and Fahey getting their fair share of on-pitch time.
Potential Targets
Due to McLeish’s current rotation policy, it’s more a case of working out who will definitely play both games. After that’s decided, it’s pretty much down to:
Joe Hart
Given the home record of both opponents, Hart will be a busy man over the DGW. Has only missed one league game this season, the meeting with parent club Man City. Arguably the best keeper in the league this season, and McLeish will be looking for repeat performances.
Predicted Return: 9 saves
Barry Ferguson
Despite offering nothing in the way of goals, assists or set pieces, the disgraced ex-Scotland captain is a Bonus Point “Darling” with an incredible 25 BPs, the third highest of any midfielder, bettered only by Cesc and Frank. Has missed just one league game all season, due to suspension. This DGW gives him another two chances to impress the judges.
Predicted Return: 2 Bonus Points
Cameron Jerome
In terms of value, ie, points gained versus price, Jerome is now the number one striker in FPL this season. Is currently in fantastic form, with 3 goals, 1 assist, and 3 BPs in his last two games. Perhaps not as technically proficient as strike partner Christian Benitez, Jerome has definitely developed over the course of this season, and of anyone in Birmingham colours, he offers the best bet of grabbing a goal.
Predicted Return: 1 goal.
Christian Benitez
His partnership with Jerome came to fruition recently in the 2-1 win at Portsmouth, with Benitez setting up both goals for his partner. With Jerome being most likely to score of the two, Benitez is the likely provider.
Predicted Return: 1 assist.