Plymouth v Blues preview

Alex McLeish will be hoping that his Blues side will be flying high at the top of the table tonight after they boarded a plane this morning to travel to Plymouth for tonights Championship clash.

Blues have added to their injury worries this week as there are several absentees for the game on the south coast. Gary O'Connor (groin) Stephen Kelly (knee) Gary McSheffrey (knee) and James McFadden (groin) all remain on the sidelines along with Seb Larsson and David Murphy who have also picked slight strains and look set to miss the game.

The only other doubt going into the clash is Liam Ridgwell who is recovering from a virus that saw him miss his first game of the season on Saturday against Watford.

For Plymouth striker Emile Mpenza misses out along with skipper Karl Duguid who has a calf strain. Therefore Plymouth look set to go with Rory Fallon and Steven MacLean up top.

The Pilgrims have struggled so far this season not really been able to find any form of late sitting 11th in the Championship and with Blues putting the pressure on leaders Wolves they must see this game as a chance to bring home all three points. Wolves entertain Derby at the Molineux while Reading host Blackpool at the Madejski Stadium.

Match Odds

Plymouth 2/1 Draw 12/5 Blues 5/4

Team news for Watford visit

Blues boss Alex McLeish has no fresh injury concerns going into tomorrow's championship clash with Watford. Sebastian Larsson returns to the squad after flying home last weekend end for personal issues.

McLeish has confirmed that the only players he will be without going into the game are Gary O'Connor (groin) Stephen Kelly (knee) Gary McSheffrey (knee) and Damien Johnson (back)

Stuart Parnaby returns to the squad however McLeish has told the full back he will have to fight for his place back in the starting 11.

Kevin Phillips who only played the first half at the Molineux has also reached the peak of fitness and is back into contention for visit of the Londoners. Gary O'Connor and Gary McSheffrey are making progress in terms of their injuries but there is no definite return date for the them.

BLUES v Ipswich preview

McLeish's men go into tonights clash with Ipswich looking for their third straight win after two 3-2 thrillers against Charlton and Swansea.

Back to back wins for the Blues has opened up a gap of four points between third place Reading, however they still trail midlands rivals Wolves by six.

Both Reading and Wolves are also in action tonight. Reading go away to Cardiff while Wolves travel to in form Sheffield United. This means that with promotion rivals facing tough tests away from home it is vital that points aren't dropped tonight at St Andrews.


Nigel Quashie comes back into contention after serving a one match ban against Swansea on Friday. The West Ham midfielder signed a loan extension on Monday that will keep him at the club until December 28th.

Stuart Parnaby has recovered from a hamstring injury but will not feature in tonights game as he seeks to regain match fitness for the trip to Wolves on Saturday. McLeish is still without Damien Johnson, Gary O'Connor, Gary McSheffrey and Stephen Kelly for tonights game.

For Ipswich, on loan defender Moritz Volz is available for selection after serving his suspension. Former Blues defender Alex Bruce is expected to keep his place at the heart of the Ipswich defence with skipper Gareth McAuley back in the squad after he has recovered from a hamstring problem. Midfielder David Norris misses the game because of a dead leg.

"We've got to build on the last two results," said McLeish, "we've certainly liked to do it the hard way over the last couple of weeks."

McLeish also added: "We have now go to take this spirit and character that the side has shown into the Ipswich game and hopefully we can see the performance levels go up considerably."

Ipswich boss Jim Magilton believes the key will be to silence the home crowd and play their own game, "Birmingham are a very good side, they have Premiership experience and everything suggests a home win."

"My players are relishing the challenge. Birmingham are a team you would expect to be at the top of the table and they have shown that."

Tonights game is huge for Blues in terms of picking up all three points to keep the pressure on their rivals. An early goal or two will surely ease the nervs of the Blues faithful and allow the team to enjoy thier football. McLeish's mean can't afford to be complacent however.

MATCH ODDS

BLUES 17/20 DRAW 5/2 Ipswich 10/3

Swansea V BLUES preview

BLUES face a tough test tonight as they travel to South Wales in search of another three points at the expense of Swansea City at The Liberty Stadium.

Boss Alex McLeish will be looking for another performance from his boys that saw a great second half come back against Charlton as the Blues get the chance to close the gap at the top of the Championship on midlands rivals Wolves.

Nigel Qaushie who was sent off in that win over the Addicks is suspended for tonight's game however David Murphy is pushing for a start after recovering from a knee injury. Franck Queudrue's excellent form at present may keep the Scottish full back on the bench however.

Blues will also be without Gary O'Connor, Damien Johnson, Stephen Kelly, Stuart Parnaby and Gary McSheffrey for the trip to Wales.

For Swansea, former Blues full back Marcos Painter will miss the game as he recovers from knee surgery however goalkeeper Dorus de Vries is back into contention after recovering from a fractured jaw.

"Birmingham have got the strongest squad in the division without doubt," said Swansea boss Roberto Martinez, "They are a Premier League side playing in the Championship this season, and while this doesn't garantee you anything, it really helps."

Blues boss Alex McLeish said: "We have to be mindful going to places like Swansea in terms of aspirations of the Premier League we've got to go looking to win."

"We've been dissapointing on our travels recently but we've got to be looking to go and win the game."

MATCH ODDS

Swansea 6/4 Draw 23/10 BLUES 7/4

A 1-0 win for the BLUES is priced at an attractive 13/2 and if you fancy the same scoreline with James McFadden to score you can get around 40/1.

Visit BET 365 for more odds.

BLUES v Charlton preview

McLeish's men are determined to get back to winning ways against Charlton Athletic at St Andrews tomorrow afternoon. Here is all you need to know ahead of the big game...

Blues go into the game without several key players including Gary O'Connor (groin) Stephen Kelly (thigh) Stuart Parnaby (hamstring) David Murphy (knee) Gary McSheffrey (knee) and Damien Johnson (back)

However McLeish does welcome back Franck Queudrue who missed the game at Forest through an illness and Liam Ridgewell who missed training yesterday due to a head cold.

For Charlton, Alan Pardew looks set to name a similar 16 to the squad that performed well at the weekend in thier 2-2 draw at Plymouth. On the injury front Pardew looks to be without striker Chris Dickson who picked up a knee injury at Home Park and fellow strike partner Luke Varney who is also struggling after picking up a knock in training this week.

Alex McLeish: "At the end of the day we've been in a little bit of a rut over the last three games and our momentum has been savaged by injury but we've got to get back on track and we've got to be in Charlton's faces and make it as difficult as possible for them as we can."

All three points are vital for Blues tomorrow who find themselves on a three match winless streak at present. Players and manager are still confident in their ability as despite Wolves going six points clear at the top, Blues are still in a fantastic position.

Charlton on the other hand find themselves at the wrong end of the table after a dissapointing start to the campaign. Their point at Plymouth did move them out of the relegation zone but they are still seeking their first league win in seven games.

Match Odds:

BLUES 8/13 DRAW 13/5 CHARLTON 5/1

Kevin Phillips to open the scoring is rated at 9/2
Blues to win 1-0 or 2-0 is a 6/1 shot and to win 3-0 is an attractive 11/1

Check out more odds at BET 365

BLUES v Coventry preview

After a dissapointing defeat in London to Queens Park Rangers last tuesday night Alex McLeish will be looking for a return to form as they host midlands rivals Coventry at St Andrews tonight.

With promotion rivals Wolves and Reading both winning on Saturday, tonights game becomes all the more important in terms of grinding out another 3 points.

New loan signing Nicky Hunt looks set to go straight into the starting 11 while Seb Larsson and Rahdi Jaidi are both back into the 16 man squad after over comming their respective injuries. However in form Gary O'Connor will miss the clash with a groin problem along with David Murphy (knee) Stuart Parnaby (hamstring) Stephen Kelly (thigh) Gary McSheffrey (knee) and Damien Johnson (back).

In terms of the visitors they will be without striker Leon McKenzie with a tigh injury along with Stephen Wright and Jay Tabb who are both doubts for the clash.

Blues currently sit second in the championship 4 points behind Wolves with a game in hand and although Blues have taken 10 points from their last 5 games tonights midlands derby could prove to be a potential banana skin. "Coventry will be up for it and will come here hoping to cause an upset," said McLeish. "We need to give them respect and this means that every one of our players has to play to his best level."

MATCH ODDS

BLUES 8/13 DRAW 13/5 COVENTRY 5/1

Matchday preview: QPR

Table topping Birmingham travel to managerless Queens Park Rangers tonight in great form with 10 points from their last 12. Unbeaten on their travels will mean the blues will provide a tough test for the home side.

However a 0-0 draw at Reading on Saturday night will mean the Londoners will also be hard to break down and will be full of confidence under caretaker manager Gareth Ainsworth, who has urged Rangers fans to come out in their numbers for the clash.

"Theres nothing i'd like more than to see a packed Loftus Road for the visit of arguably on of the best teams in this division," said Ainsworth.

The caretaker manager went on to express how, "the atmosphere the fans can generate at an evening kick off at Loftus Road is immeasurable, it can arguably be the difference between success and failure."

No doubt the home side will fancy their chances tonight at Loftus Road, but for Blues, the players need to step up to the plate and grind out yet another result away from St Andrews if they are to be potential automatic promotion contenders.

TEAM NEWS

Blues travel to the capital with no new injury worries as Alex McLeish looks to keep faith with the side that beat Sheffield Wednesday convincingly at St Andrews on Saturday afternoon. However defensive duo Radhi Jaidi (thigh) and David Murphy (knee) who both featured in Blues' victory over Rangers earlier this month are both pushing for recalls.

MATCH ODDS

QPR:7/4 DRAW:23/10 BLUES:6/4