Premier League Preview: West Ham United - Birmingham City

Date: Wednesday, February 10 2010 Kick-off: 19:45 GMT
Venue: Upton Park
Something Gold, something new…

West Ham United's new owners David Sullivan and David Gold have not been too impressed with the state of things that they have found at Upton Park since completing their takeover of the club last month.

Sullivan has warned that the club could be in 'Armageddon' if they end up being relegated this season, but it looks, after Saturday's defeat at Burnley, that the drop is a real possibility.

The Hammers lost that game in Lancashire after looking like, in spells, they should have won it. When that kind of thing happens with the frequency with which it has happened to the Hammers this season then one can only begin to wonder whether it means that fate has decreed that they are doomed.

But in manager Gianfranco Zola they have one of life's optimists at the helm, and with some new strikers arriving at the club in January, they may yet mount another great escape.

This time there is no one remotely like Carlos Tevez at the club, though, and those of a claret and blue cockney persuasion must now be looking nervously over their shoulders as the business end of the season nears.

Something better, something Blue…

Gold and Sullivan used to own Birmingham City of course, and Alex McLeish's Blues are unlikely to allow any regard for old friends to get in the way of collecting yet more points as they look to hang onto a top half position in the table.

McLeish's side have been blessed by some good fortune when it comes to injury, with the manager able to name a largely unchanged side for the bulk of the season so far.

But their form this season has been about much more than good luck. McLeish's decision to reinforce his back four with hungry players from the Championship like Scott Dann and Roger Johnson has been more than vindicated and could point the way for more managers in the Premier League to trust homegrown talent.

The Hammers can maybe point to recent history as a cause for optimism, however. The Blues have not won at Upton Park since October 2002 and the Hammers have emerged victorious from three of the last five league encounters.

However, with West Ham having now gone five games without a Premier League win, perhaps history is all Zola has to cling onto on Wednesday night.

FORM GUIDE

West Ham United

Feb 6 Burnley 2-1 West Ham Premier League
Jan 30 West Ham 0-0 Blackburn Rovers Premier League
Jan 26 West Ham 1-1 Portsmouth Premier League
Jan 17 Aston Villa 0-0 West Ham Premier League
Jan 3 West Ham 1-2 Arsenal FA Cup R3

Birmingham City

Feb 7 Birmingham 2-1 Wolves Premier League
Jan 30 Birmingham 1-1 Tottenham Hotspur Premier League
Jan 27 Chelsea 0-0 Birmingham Premier League
Jan 23 Everton 1-2 Birmingham FA Cup R4
Jan 12 Birmingham 1-0 Nottingham Forest FA Cup R3 replay

TEAM NEWS

West Ham United

Benni McCarthy may not be fit enough for a start after being replaced at half-time against Burnley and his knee injury will need further assessment.

Mido and Ilan could start while Kieron Dyer is doubtful with a hamstring injury. Luis Boa Morte (knee), Callum Davenport (leg), Guillermo Franco (thigh), Danny Gabbidon (hamstring) and Zavon Hines (knee) are all doubtful.

Last Line-Up (v Burnley): Green, Faubert, Tomkins, Upson, Spector, Parker, Behrami, Collison (Stanislas 62), Noble (Ilan 77), Cole, McCarthy (Mido 46).

Subs Not Used: Stech, Kovac, Da Costa, Ilunga.

Birmingham City

Alex McLeish will need to alter his starting line-up for the first time in 13 games as striker Christian Benitez has an ankle problem. Stuart Parnaby returns to the squad but Garry O'Connor (hip) and Teemu Tainio (knee) are still out.

Last Line-Up (v Wolves): Hart, Carr, Johnson, Dann, Ridgewell, Larsson (Gardner 68), Ferguson, Bowyer, McFadden (Fahey 74), Jerome, Benitez (Phillips 63).

Subs Not Used: Taylor, Michel, Vignal, Jervis.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

West Ham United

Mido is reportedly earning what has been described as a token wage of £1,000 a week as he attempts to rebuild his reputation in England. A second half substitute against Burnley, he turned in a useful looking cameo and may be handed a starting role this time out.

Birmingham City

Kevin Phillips managed to confound time yet again at the weekend by scoring twice in the last 10 minutes to clinch victory against Wolverhampton Wanderers. The 36-year-old was widely expected to be on his way out of St Andrews, but there are still few in the Premier League that possess his instinct for finding the net. He possibly may not start, but what an option to have off the bench.

PREDICTION

Blues to edge close encounter.