Birmingham begin their cup campaign tonight with a home fixture against Cambridge United. It is Blues first competitive home fixture this season.
The Blues are to be changed, but not rested, says Lee Clark after the defeat away at Middlesbrough. Performances up north on the opening day of the season have convinced the boss to give others a chance to get the ball rolling for Birmingham.
Cambridge United are back in the football league following promotion last season and the visit to St Andrews will be a likely benefit of the new status.
Clayton Donaldson is likely to start this game after missing out to Thomas in the last game. Lee Clark could opt for two strikers in this game.
Vital Quotes:
Lee Clark has said there will be a few changes today but insisted that no players are being rested.
Blues welcome back Jonathan Spector from a groin injury and Matt Green is the only name on the injury list.
Richard Money is sure Cambridge can handle the occasion after winning the conference play off final.
There`s no doubt we`re used to playing this type of game. It`s not like we`re going into completely unknown territory, but it`s a game where we can really find out what we`re about.
Birmingham City Team News:
Blues welcome back Jonathan Spector from a groin injury and Matt Green is the only name on the injury list.
Player to watch: Donaldson
Clayton Donaldson is a talented goal scorer and Blues main threat this upcoming game. He can get in behind defenders. Working space and shooting from in front is also no problem for him. Donaldson is also always on the follow up from other’s shots making him deadly in the box.
Donaldson missed out on starting on the tip to Middlesbrough and could be desperate to make sure he starts on Saturday.
Cambridge United Team News:
Cambridge`s Tom Elliot will remain sidelined for their trip to the Midlands with a damaged ankle. Midfielder Liam Hughes may recover from a minor knock to make the game.
Player to watch: –
Please leave a comment below of a player you think could cause Blues problems in this game!
Match Facts & Stats
? This is their first League Cup meeting.
? The last competitive meeting came in the third tier of English football in April 1995, with Cambridge winning 1-0.
? These sides have only met on 10 occasions, sharing four wins apiece (D2).
From the BBC
Match Prediction:
Birmingham will have enough quality to over run Cambridge United in this game. The pace of the front two should help move Birmingham up the pitch to get a fair few goals.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Birmingham do concede through a defensive mistake, as we saw once in pre-season and at Middlesbrough.
Blues had no problem beating teams of this stature in pre-season so cue to victory music and cue to over confidence from the fickle!
Next Fixtures:
Sat 16 August – Brighton – Sky Bet Championship K.O 15:00 H