Blues v Blackburn Match Preview

Last updated : 02 January 2004 By Brian Cartlidge

History of the Birmingham City v Blackburn Rovers fixture

Blues prepare to entertain Blackburn Rovers in the FA cup at St. Andrew's on Saturday afternoon, looking to continue an impressive record. The Blues are clearly on top, having won 29 and lost only 7 of the 50 games played on home soil.

In FA cup ties Blues hold a 100% record against Blackburn, but are hoping to win a Third Round tie for the first time in four years.

The most recent encounter between these two sides at St. Andrew's was just last month, in December 2003, with Blackburn inflicting a 4-0 defeat upon the Blues in a Premiership match.

For a detailed analysis of the head-to-head between the two sides, click here

Recent encounters between the teams:
2003/2004Sat 6 DecBlackburn R.0 - 4Birmingham C.PREM
2002/2003Sat 18 JanBlackburn R.1 - 1Birmingham C.PREM
2002/2003Sat 24 AugBirmingham C.0 - 1Blackburn R.PREM
2000/2001Wed 14 MarBirmingham C.0 - 2Blackburn R.LD1
2000/2001Tue 26 DecBlackburn R.2 - 1Birmingham C.LD1
1999/2000Wed 22 MarBlackburn R.1 - 0Birmingham C.LD1
1999/2000Tue 15 FebBirmingham C.1 - 0Blackburn R.LD1
1988/1989Sat 22 AprBirmingham C.2 - 0Blackburn R.DIV2


Recent respective form guides

Blues have only collected 2 wins from the last six home games played. Seven goals have been registered in this time, with 8 in the wrong end.

The away form of Blackburn is pretty average, chalking up two wins, with 3 defeats, from the last six. While Rovers have hit 6 goals, 7 have hit the back of the wrong net.

Prediction ...

I see this as a quick chance for Blues to gain revenge for the recent league defeat and expect them to book their place in Mondays 4th round draw with a narrow win over Graeme Souness' side.

Teams..

Blues (from): Taylor, Kenna, Cunningham, Upson, Lazaridis, Clapham, Johnson, Dunn, Savage, Clemence, Hughes, Cisse, John, Morrison, Forssell, Bennett, Tebily, Purse, Kirovski.

Blackburn (from): Friedel, Enckelman/Yelldell, Johansson, Taylor, Todd, Babbel, Neill, Gresko, Short, Baggio, Flitcroft, Mahon, Jansen, Emerton, Tugay, Yorke, Cole, Gallagher.