Trevor Francis believes Birmingham can battle their way to Carling Cup glory against Arsenal on Sunday.
City can make life uncomfortable for Gunners, says Trevor
Trevor Francis is backing Birmingham to battle their way to Carling Cup glory on Sunday.
The former City boss almost oversaw a League Cup final shock in 2001 when his Birmingham side held Liverpool 1-1 after extra time, only to lose at the Millennium Stadium on penalties.
Yet Francis believes it could be a different story in this weekend's game, which will be the first domestic cup final to be
broadcast live in 3D.
"Undoubtedly Arsenal are the big favourites - they've played some super football this season and they are an absolute joy to watch," he told
Sky Sports News.
"But I do feel that Birmingham, if they defend well - which they are more than capable of doing (they don't concede too many goals) - that they can make it difficult for Arsenal.
"I'm not sure what Alex's starting line-up will be but I'm sure that big [Nikola] Zigic will feature either as a starter or off the bench.
"When you are six foot eight and you get the right quality of service it's impossible to try and nullify somebody as tall as he is. So that's something that I'm sure could be a big factor in this game.
"Arsenal's strengths are undoubtedly offensively; they've got some very talented footballers but defensively they do give you a chance and they don't keep that many clean sheets.
"Most people will feel that Arsenal will win on the day but I'm just hoping that Birmingham will put on a real show and score in the 90th minute to win 1-0."
Outsiders
Francis hopes the current Birmingham side will take inspiration from the City team that went so close to securing silverware in 2001 - especially as this is the club's first Wembley final for 55 years.
"It's a huge occasion and I just hope that the players actually do the supporters proud," he reflected.
"The last time they were in a final was 10 years ago, and that was at the Millennium [Stadium] against Liverpool.
"They were certainly bigger outsiders on the day because they were in the second division at the time but they took Liverpool all of the way to penalties.
"I'm just hoping that if they can't win it that they do the city proud. I think there may be an upset on Sunday."
Opportunity
It is now almost six years since Birmingham's opponents, Arsenal, last tasted trophy triumph and former Gunners midfielder Ray Parlour says Arsene Wenger's side cannot afford to pass up the opportunity to win some silverware.
"It's a massive opportunity for Arsenal. Arsene Wenger has taken the competition a lot more seriously this year by playing stronger sides in most of the rounds," he said.
"This is what it's all about. On Sunday Wembley will be packed-tight and it will be a wonderful spectacle for everybody, not just Arsenal fans but Birmingham City supporters as well.
"When you are playing as a football player you want to be playing in big occasions and it will be a big occasion on Sunday."
Watch the Carling Cup final live on Sky Sports HD1 and Sky 3D this Sunday at 3.30pm. The Wembley showpiece is the first domestic cup final to be broadcast live in 3D.
