Sunderland v Birmingham preview

Black Cats welcome Blues in vital game for both sides

By Chris Burton   Last updated: 29th January 2008

Sunderland v Birmingham preview

McFadden: Could be handed starting place

PREDICTIONS:

Skysports.com prediction: 1-2

SKY BET odds: Sunderland 6/5, Draw 11/5, Birmingham 15/8

One to Watch: James McFadden

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Sunderland face Birmingham in a relegation battle at the Stadium of Light on Tuesday night, live on Sky Sports 2.

Both sides have acquired 20 points from their 23 Premier League games so far, but it is the Black Cats who currently find themselves in the drop zone while Blues sit just outside the bottom three on goal difference.

Sunderland have won just twice in their last eight league games and have the third worst defence in the division.

On top of that only Derby and Fulham have won fewer games than the Black Cats' five, although all of those victories have come at home.

Birmingham have failed to win in their last five matches in all competitions and have picked up maximum points just once in their last eight in the Premier League.

The 13 games lost by Blues so far this season is also the second worst record in the division, with only rock-bottom Derby suffering defeat on more occasions (18).

The visitors should go into the game in a confident frame of mind though having won four of the five top-flight meetings between the two sides in the past. The only occasion in which they failed to take all three points was during this season's 2-2 draw in the reverse fixture at St Andrews back in August.

Duo set for debuts

Sunderland boss Roy Keane will be without suspended striker Michael Chopra, while Kieran Richardson, Danny Higginbotham, Carlos Edwards and Grant Leadbitter are all sidelined through injury.

After a busy week in the transfer market, Keane could hand debuts to new arrivals Phil Bardsley and Rade Prica.

McFadden may start

Alex McLeish could give James McFadden his first Birmingham start after he impressed as a substitute against Chelsea in Blues' last game.

On-loan striker Mauro Zarate is likely to be included in the travelling squad, but full-back David Murphy requires more time to build up his fitness following his move from Hibernian.

McLeish will also be unable to call on the services Radhi Jaidi or Mehdi Nafti as the duo are currently away on international duty at the Africa Cup of Nations.