Blues Match Zone

Blues Host Sunderland

|
Image for Blues Host Sunderland

Birmingham City host Sunderland tonight in the Capital One Cup at St Andrews. Lee Clark`s team have been impressive at home so far this season but they come up against Premier League opposition in this game.

Blues will be hoping to give it their best shot against a must stronger team. A spirited defeat would possibly go down just fine with supporters of the club.

Sunderland on the other hand will be looking to progress straight through to the next round considering they are playing a team a division lower. Gus Poyet`s men will know better than that though, Blues can be dangerous and anything other than a professional performance could send Sunderland crashing out.

Both teams have recent history in the competition. Birmingham were Carling Cup winners in 2011 whilst Sunderland finished runners up last year.

Vital Quotes:

Lee Clark talking to BCFC.com

I would love to be able to knock out a Premier League club and go on a run. This club has history in the competition. I`m sure everybody involved with the club would love a repeat of that.

We`ve got to replicate the performances we`ve had in the three home games in terms of the drive, determination, pace and power in the team.

Birmingham City Team News:

Birmingham are still without Matt Green who is not up to fitness just yet. Andrew Shinnie is also still unavailable with his back strain, picked up in a development game.

Gunning remains a long term absentee.

Player to watch: N/A

The team is set to be rotated tonight so picking a player to watch is a bit difficult.

I’m going to go for Demarai Gray, I think he’ll get the nod today and he has the potential to surprise teams.

Sunderland Team News:

Sunderland may be set to give debuts to Costel Pantilimon and Billy Jones. Adam Johnson remains doubtful for this game through illness.

Player to watch: N/A

For the same reason as stated above it is difficult to pick a player.

Lee Cattermole, if he plays, has had a resurgence in form under Poyet that has gone largely unnoticed by the media.

He will hold things together and defend his back for making it difficult for Birmingham.

Match Facts & Stats


? Birmingham’s last defeat to Sunderland at home came in an FA Cup replay in February 2004 – they have won three and drawn two since.
? The only previous League Cup tie between the two sides came in the third round n 2009-10, with the Black Cats running out 2-0 winners at the Stadium of Light.

Match Prediction:

Without a doubt a tough game for Birmingham tonight, but not impossible.

I’m hoping for a win, but Sunderland seem to have a lot of quality and they could run out 2-0 winners tonight.

Next Fixtures:

Sat 30 August – Wigan – Championship – KO 15:00 – A

Sat 13 September – Leeds – Championship – KO 12:15 – H

Tue 16 September – Sheffield Wednesday – Championship – KO 19:45 – H

Share this article

Still journey on