Blues travel to the capital for the second time in five days as they face tricky opposition in Charlton Athletic in the Sky Bet Championship at The Valley. The South London side have had a re-shuffle since last season after narrowly escaping relegation in the last few games and now this season they are unbeaten in the opening 10 league games.
After the departure of then manager Jose Riga, the Addicks appointed Belgian Bob Peeters from Super League side Weslen-Beveren. Over the summer they have brought in some new faces with the likes of: Igor Vetokele, Yoni Buyens and former Premier League defender Tal Ben Haim. Striker Vetokele who cost Charlton around £2 million pounds is the fifth top scorer in the league with five goals to his name.
Both Blues and Charlton were triumphant in midweek with Blues winning 3-1 away at Millwall which was their second win of the season and Charlton beating second place Norwich 1-0 away. The reverse result of this fixture ended 2-0 to Blues with a brace from Manchester United loanee Federico Macheda last February.
Vital Quotes:
This is what manager Lee Clark has said in his press conference:
“Jonathan Spector will be out for at least three months. He`s torn a thigh muscle and a tendon. I think it`s a very similar injury to the one he had the season before I got here on the other side.
“It seems in the last three or four weeks the injury list has gone a little bit crazy.
“Hopefully we will get through Saturday unscathed and we will have Neal Eardley and Lee Novak coming back just after that.”
Meanwhile, winger David Cotterill has been called up to the Wales squad after successive impressive performances for Blues after scoring 2 goals and 2 assists in 2 games.
Here is what manager Bob Peeters has said:
“Tal Ben Haim has been superb for us this season but he won`t be available for selection on Saturday because of his religious commitments and as a club we must respect that,”
“He`s a great professional and after he approached me and asked my permission not to play in this game I decided that undoubtedly it is the right decision to let him observe Yom Kippur.”
Charlton Athletic Team News:
The Addicks will be without defender Tal Ben Haim on Saturday as he will be observing a religious holiday. The only other (possible) absentee is Joseph Gomez who is a doubt but could still be in contention for a start.
Player to watch: Simon Church
Church is in his make or break season. Widely expected to kick on and have an impact on which ever team he was in, he remains a threat today.
Birmingham City Team News:
Blues have been hit with another injury this week as defender Jonathan Spector has torn his thigh muscle and will spend up to three months out on the sidelines which is a major blow to Lee Clark’s side as fellow right back Neal Eardley is also out for another 1-2 weeks.
Lee Clark has said that striker Lee Novak is not too far away from a return into the first team as he is recovering well. Demarai Gray was back in training this week after missing the victory against Millwall on Tuesday due to a slight knock and could be handed a start.
Player to watch: David Cotterill
Cotterill has been on fire for Birmingham since joining from Doncaster and will surely continue his hot run of form today.
Match Facts & Stats
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Match Prediction:
After Tuesday’s win I think our confidence will be boosted and we will go into half time winning 1-0 but then succumb to either fitness or pressure whatever has been the problem with second halves this season and lose 3-1. Keep Right On and COME ON YOU BLUES!
Next Fixtures:
18 October – Bolton – Championship – 15:00
21 October – Blackburn – Championship – 19:45
25 October – AFC Bournemouth – Championship – 15:00
01 November – Wolves – Championship – 12:15