New Years Eve sees Ian Holloway’s Blackpool FC make the long trip down the M6 to face Blues at St Andrews, in another tough home match for Birmingham City.

Blackpool FC

Blackpool come into this match in better form than Blues, having taken nine points from the last possible eighteen including a creditable away draw at St Mary’s – although it could have been a win had it not been for Ricky Lambert’s last gasp equaliser. Like last year, Blackpool are a team noted for going for goals and that’s evident when you look at the fact they are the Championship’s 2nd top scorers away from home; although their defence still isn’t a strong point as only two teams have conceded more goals away from home this season in the second tier.

Matt Gilks still looks to be out with the groin strain he picked up prior to their 3-1 away win at Barnsley, and Matt Howard looks likely to continue between the sticks for the Seasiders after a good performance at Oakwell. Kevin Phillips is pushing for a start, having stated in the local newspaper up in Blackpool that he doesn’t see himself as a super-sub.

Birmingham City

Stephen Carr will miss out again as it was confirmed he’s suffering a slight knee niggle, so Jonathan Spector will continue in the right back berth meaning Guirane N’Daw will more than likely play again in the middle after impressing alongside Keith Fahey in the match against West Ham. Curtis Davies returns after suspension and Pablo Ibanez will in all likelihood drop back out of the squad to accommodate. I also wouldn’t be too surprised to see changes up front; Chris Wood seemed a bit anonymous against West Ham and I’d like to see Adam Rooney given another go.

Blues form isn’t the best – five points from their last eighteen and no clean sheet in ten league games. However, Birmingham still have one of only two unbeaten home records in this division and the tightest defence only conceding five goals in ten home matches.

This is another tricky game for Blues, but one I think we have a chance of winning. Whilst Blues aren’t the best of goalscorers there is no denying that Blackpool have a rickety defence – Holloway isn’t known for setting up his teams to be tight at the back and that could play into Blues favour. How much would people give for a repeat of the New Years Eve game back in 1994, when Blues came back from one down early on to beat the Tangerines 7-1?

Tags: Adam Rooney, Blackpool, Chris Wood, Curtis Davies, Guirane N'Daw, Jonathan Spector, Pablo Ibanez, Stephen Carr