On Sky
Don’t mention the 7-0!
Stoke will be looking to replicate Tuesday nights performance against Derby when they face Birmingham in this televised clash at Britannia on Saturday dinnertime. This will be City’s toughest test so far, however confidence will be high following the impressive Tuesday night win.
Vital Quotes:
Tony Pulis was understandably delighted with Tuesday nights victory, and knows the fans have a big part to play this season.
‘We know Peter (Coates) put on a ticket deal for the fans but they were fantastic tonight. If we can get 20,000 fans in for every game, we can make this place a fortress. It was a good exciting game on Tuesday and we need to replicate this on Saturday against Birmingham.’
Steve Bruce’s Birmingham have started with two wins against Colchester and Sunderland, and the Blues manager is pleased with his sides start.
‘It’s been a tough summer for obvious reasons but you can see a new team starting to take shape. We have come here (Sunderland) and laid down a marker with a terrific result and I am absolutely thrilled with the lot of them.’
Stoke City Team News:
Stoke will start the game with a spring in their step following their first victory of the season. However Tony Pulis has a major doubt over new signing Danny Higginbotham, whose collision with team-mate Peter Sweeney saw him limp off on Tuesday night, despite an impressive home debut. Carl Dickinson is likely to slot in at left-back if Higginbotham doesn’t make it.
Luke Chadwick and Sweeney are reaching full match fitness after their excellent performances against Derby.
Sammy Bangoura is said to be six weeks off a starting place following his decision not to turn up for pre-season training.
Player to watch: Peter Sweeney
Peter Sweeney put in his best display in a Stoke shirt on Tuesday night, and will be hoping to continue where he left off tomorrow. The Scottish winger has been blighted with injury problems since his arrival a year ago, however he now has a great chance to make the left-wing position his own.
Birmingham City Team News:
Pacy striker DJ Campbell missed Birmingham’s 1-0 win at Sunderland on Wednesday night with hamstring trouble, but is hoping to be fit for the televised clash.
Stoke will be pleased old nemisis Cameron Jerome, who cost Bruce £3million, is serving the second game of his three match suspension following his sending off after only 3 minutes of his debut on Saturday against Colchester.
Player to watch: Mikael Forssell
So many to choose from! The Blues have a strong squad and it’s easy to see why they are favourites for a quick return to The Premiership. David Dunn is likely to be pulling the strings in midfield, and is arguably too good for The Championship, however Stoke VitalFootball has picked Mikael Forssell as the one to watch. The Finnish striker scored the winning goal in Birmingham’s undeserved 1-0 victory over Stoke in The FA Cup at Britannia in February.
Clint Hill and Michael Duberry will have their hands full against Forssell, who will be looking to fire in 20 goals this season.
Match Facts & Stats
The Blues have a 100% record at The Brit. The infamous 7-0 in January 1998 is still etched on Potters fans memories, and they knocked Stoke out of The FA Cup in February, despite Johan Boskamp’s team dominating for large periods.
Stoke’s last victory over Birmingham was way back in the 1996/97 season, when a Ray Wallace strike secured a 1-0 win.
The overall head to head sees a total of 39 wins for Stoke, 29 for Birmingham and 20 draws.
Ref Watch:
Richard Beeby: His last Stoke match saw a 3-0 defeat to Cardiff City at home, so let’s hope he’s a bit more of a lucky charm this time.
Next Fixtures:
Saturday 19th August: League V Luton Town (away) Kick-off 3pm
Tuesday 22nd August: League Cup V Darlington (away) Kick-off 7.45pm
Saturday 26th August: League V Plymouth (home) Kick-off 3pm
