Premier League preview: West Brom vs Birmingham City
West Brom get ready to host Birmingham City today, it may not be a top of the table clash but is one that will have both teams motivated to get 3 points from the midland derby.It essentially is a 6 pointer for the 2 sides involved.
Roberto Di Matteo, the West Brom manager will be delighted to have Graham Dorrans back from injury; Dorrans was not available for the last match against Tottenham that ended in a draw. James Morrison would also not be available as he is still serving a 3 match
suspension following his red card that he received against Liverpool. Joe Mattock is out with a foot injury, Ishmael Miller has not recovered from a thigh problem, and Marek Ceck also has a foot injury. Di Matteo may be pleased that Mattock and Miller have
resumed training but still a late fitness test only will determine if they are fit enough to play in the game.
Meanwhile Alex McLeish, the Birmingham manager does not have the same injury concerns. Former Arsenal and AC Milan midfielder Alexander Helb, who signed for Birmingham this season is back to full fitness. Jean Beausejour who missed
the last game has also made full recovery. Jean is still not expected to be in the starting line up and will be on the bench due to some jet lag and insufficient training. Hleb may also be a substitute as McLeish said he will make the decision just before
the match. Birmingham produced an inspiring performance against Liverpool and earned a hard fought draw, so McLeish may be tempted to keep the same team. Birmingham’s most prolific striker Kevin Philips has been out due to an injury but has resumed full training,
and today’s match might still be too soon for him. Another good piece of news for the manager may be the return of Stuart Parnaby to full training.
Looking at the previous famous midland derbies, West Brom are the lighter of the two. West Brom have managed only one win in 16 midland Premier League derbies. But the Premier League form for the baggies has been good; they have
won 3 of their 5 games in the league.
Birmingham are also a team that do not travel well in the league, they have won just 1 match in their last 11 Premier League games away from home. Last seven games for them have not earned any points.
Let’s take a look at some interesting statistics surrounding this encounter; Cameron Jerome has been the player with most shots in the league this season, without having a goal to show for it. Only Steven Gerrard is another player
in the league with that distinct record this season.
Peter Odemwingie has been in good form for the baggies and has scored one goal and assisted in 3 of their goals this season. Talking about midland derbies, in 2008-09 season West Brom lost all 4 derbies , while Birmingham have
a decent record and have won have won more games in such derbies than any other club. They have won 7 midland derbies out of 14 that they have played. The defence from Birmingham has been guilty of giving away needless penalties, in the last 5 league games
they have managed to award 4 spot kicks to the opposition. Baggies defence is known to back off and wait inside the area more times than not, that is the reason they have conceded 3 goals from outside the 6 yard box which is more than any other team.
Finally, Birmingham have the distinct recvord of having made 299 long passes in their last 4 matches, that is by far the most by any team.
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