Birmingham will be keen too ease their relegation fears when they play host to European-chasing Everton.
Will the Blues come unstuck against the Toffees?
Birmingham will be keen too ease their relegation fears, but could be in for a tough afternoon against European-chasing Everton.
The Blues are currently just four points above the drop zone and have picked up only two victories in their last 14 league outings.
Alex McLeish's side have lost only once at home in their last nine, but have failed to keep a clean sheet in 14 games, the longest run in the top flight.
They have also struggled against the Toffees in recent times, securing only one win in nine Premier League meetings.
Meanwhile, Everton have suffered just two defeats in their last 13 league matches to keep pace with their city rivals Liverpool in the race for fourth spot.
They have lost their last two on the road, but have not suffered three consecutive defeats on their travels since October 2005.
David Moyes will also be keen to see his side tighten up at the back, as the Toffees have failed to keep a clean sheet since Boxing Day.
However, they have secured 1-0 victories on their last two visits to St Andrews and cruised to a 3-1 victory in the reverse fixture between the two sides back in November.
Duo return
Birmingham will welcome back defenders Franck Queudrue and Liam Ridgewell from suspension for Saturday's clash at St Andrews.
Queudrue has served a one-game ban for his sending-off against Manchester City, while Ridgewell completed a two-match suspension for incurring 10 bookings this season.
But skipper Damien Johnson is beginning a three-match ban for his red card at Wigan last weekend and is likely to be replaced by Mehdi Nafti.
James McFadden will face a late fitness test on a knee problem before a decision is taken on whether he can line up against his former club.
Alex McLeish will also give creative midfielder Olivier Kapo (hamstring) as long as possible to prove himself before finalising his side.
Arteta doubtful
Everton boss David Moyes has revealed star midfielder Mikel Arteta is "doubtful" for the trip to Birmingham.
Muscular pains in the Spaniard's stomach and abdomen have prevented him from training this week and he could be forced to sit out the St Andrews contest.
Arteta joins fellow midfielder Steven Pienaar and defender Tony Hibbert in the treatment room, with all three battling to be given the all-clear ahead of the crunch encounter.
With Tim Cahill already ruled out for the season, Everton can hardly afford to be without their key men as they look to close the three-point gap on Liverpool.
Elsewhere, James Vaughan (knee) Andy Van Der Meyde (thigh) remain long-term absentees for the Toffees and are unlikely to feature in the first-team fold again this season.
