Premier League Preview: Birmingham vs. Newcastle

Premier League match time returns to St Andrews’ Ground as Birmingham are set to host Newcastle on Tuesday 15 February.

This is only the first stage of a two-legged competition; originally scheduled to be held on December 18, 2010, the game was postponed due to bad weather, read ” snow ”.

Birmingham win a 1-0 win over Stoke at home, in match week 27. The match seemed to be heading for a goalless stalemate until Zigic scored in the third minute of injury time. Zigic was perfectly placed to direct Jerome’s post into the Stoke net after Jerome caught a falling ball by goalkeeper Begovic from a Bentley เลื่อนแข่งพรีเมียร์.

The game was a boring affair between stubborn sides to underestimate things a bit. If anything, Stoke made Birmingham look exciting by comparison. Birmingham deserve to be praised for standing up to a rough and clear Stoke group whose only goal seemed to be to win throw-ins. For Birmingham, Jiranek had a good game. The large-built middle half used its height for good effect in air battles.

Newcastle held Blackburn out to a 0-0 draw in game week 27. In a game in which Blackburn were expected to claim their home advantage, the hosts were gradually strangled by Newcastle. In the end, Rovers were lucky to save a point as the Magpies could not cover their excess with a match-winning goal. Newcastle dictated midfield, even as they took charge on the ground, after Blackburn remained dominant with air battles for the first 15 minutes. The game underscored Newcastle’s need for a striker in the absence of Ameobi.

Head to head, Newcastle have had a 3-0 advantage over Birmingham in the last 7 league games played between the sides.

Of the last 6 matches this season Birmingham have won 3, drawn 2 and lost 1; in their last 6, Newcastle have recorded 1 win, 1 loss and 4 draws. In 13 home games this season, Birmingham have had 4 wins, 7 draws and 2 losses; Newcastle have won 4 matches on the road, while they have drawn 5 and lost the remaining 4.

In its current form, this should be a hard fought game where Birmingham enjoy an advantage behind the home advantage.

Birmingham had the following start eleven against Stoke: Foster, Carr, Johnson, Jiranek, Ridgewell, Larsson, Ferguson, Gardner, Bentley, Zigic and Martins. Jerome played as a substitute.

Newcastle’s starting eleven against Blackburn consisted of Harper, Simpson, Williamson, Colccini, Jose Enrique, Barton, Tiote, Nolan, Gutierrez, Best Lovenkrands. Ranger, Perch and Kuqi were used as substitutes.