It’s off to Fratton today for Blues as they take on Portsmouth, looking to continue the fine form which saw Birmingham knock over Middlesbrough at the weekend.

Portsmouth

Pompey are in a wretched run of form at the moment, having only gained 2 points from their last six league games, and sit dead last in the Championship (although if they weren’t in administration they’d be in a marginally healthier 19th). Portsmouth only have two goals in their last nine games, and haven’t won since the 3-0 away win against Peterbrough back in January.

The ongoing financial problems that Pompey have have hit their team hard; their top scorer now plays for Blues on loan and their squad is in the main loanees, youth players and the remainder of a squad that they haven’t been able to sell. Michael Appleton has used his Baggies connections well to pick up youth prospects George Thorne and Scott Allan; Greg Halford impressed me at St Andrews and Marko Futacs looks a handful.

Blues

Blues go into this game with the spring in their step that only a convincing win can provide, and have no new injury concerns to worry about. Peter Ramage is apparently over the effects of tonsilitis and should continue in the right back slot; there has been no news of injury to Andros Townsend after he came off against Boro and both Keith Fahey and David Murphy seemed to come through the game okay.

However, Erik Huseklepp is ineligible to play against his parent team; Jordon Mutch will also sit out as he is serving the final match of his suspension. Caleb Folan has tweeted that he has travelled with the squad and I think the former Colorado Rapids man will be given a slot on the bench.

I’m a big believer in not fixing what isn’t broken, and thus I’m not expecting any team changes for this one. It should be a game that Blues will win but we’ve seen the consequences of what happens when I predict Blues to win so I’ll keep my mouth shut on that score. It’s a full Championship programme so a good result would be important; Blues are one of three teams on 59 points and just two points separate us in 4th with Cardiff in 9th. Let’s hope we can keep the promotion charge on track.

Tags: Andros Townsend, Caleb Folan, David Murphy, Erik Huseklepp, Jordon Mutch, Keith Fahey, Peter Ramage, Portsmouth