Manchester City v Birmingham City
Follow every kick as Manchester City take on Birmingham City in the Premier League on 11-Apr-2010, kick off time 16:00.
Match Preview
Following their 6-1 victory over Burnley last week, Manchester City propelled themselves back into the driving seat for the fourth Champions League spot, while a draw with Liverpool saw Birmingham mathematically confirm their place in next season's Premier League.
Though Carlos Tevez (eight goals in his last seven league appearances) and Emmanuel Adebayor (five in seven) have been attracting the headlines recently for the Citizens with their prolific form, it is their defensive record at home that may prove the biggest challenge for Birmingham.
City have kept five clean sheets in seven league games at Eastlands under Roberto Mancini, while Alex McLeish's side has bagged just one goal in seven matches in all competitions at their opponents' stadium.
However, though Birmingham seemingly have little left to play for this season, McLeish has reminded his players that the season is not yet over: "I want to keep everyone on their toes. Everyone has got to keep impressing the fans, myself and the coaches.
"They have got to keep playing to the standards they have achieved for the majority of the season right through to the end."
Mancini on the other hand has everything to gain with his side this season, as he told the press in response to speculation linking him with a return to Italy: "I am already planning for next season, which will start on July 5 when the players come back after the summer.
"For us it's more important that we finish well this season and we must concentrate 100 per cent to get fourth place because we have six games that are very difficult."
Though Manchester City's final few games may well prove difficult, the potential return of two midfielders, Stephen Ireland (ankle) and Martin Petrov (knee) will give them a timely boost, though Joleon Lescott (hamstring), Wayne Bridge (groin) and Michael Johnson (knee) remain sidelined.
Source: DSG
Source: DSG