FA Cup
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Played
January 18, 2012 8:00 PM GMT
Molineux Stadium — Wolverhampton, West Midlands
Referee:‬ H. Webb‎
Attendance:‬ 10153‎
 
 
Wade Elliott 74′

Wolves - Birmingham City Preview: Chris Hughton's Blues looking for only their second win in seven matches against Mick McCarthy's side

After ending in a goalless draw a week and a half ago, the two Midlands club go at it again in the FA Cup after successful weekends in their respective league games

By Sam Bisby

More On :  Birmingham City, Wolves, Wolves vs Birmingham City
EPL: Mick McCarthy, Wolverhampton v Blackburn
Getty Images

 PROBABLE LINEUPS
WOLVES

De Vries
Stearman, Berra, Johnson, Ward
Kightly, Frimpong, Henry, Jarvis
Doyle, Ebanks-Blake

BIRMINGHAM CITY 

Doyle,
Spector, Davies, Ridgewell, Murphy
Elliot, Fahey, Beausejour, Redmond
Rooney, Zigic
Mick McCarthy has just the three unavailable players, with Jody Craddock the closest to full fitness, but Jamie O’Hara and Ronald Zubar are still a week or two from being able to play, as the former recovers from his hernia surgery and the striker is still suffering from a knee problem.

The Wolves boss also looks set to be without Steven Fletcher after claiming he would probably rest the Scotland international as he looks to keep the former Hibernian striker fresh for the Premier League. Therefore, Sylvan Ebanks-Blake could return to the starting lineup.

Meanwhile, Chris Hughton will have to contend with not having Senegalese duo Remi Gomis and Guirane N’Daw as they play for their country in the Africa Cup of Nations.



 DID YOU KNOW?
  • Wolves have won the competition four times, the last being over 50 years ago in 1960. This was also the last time they appeared in the final.
  • McCarthy's team have managed just one win in their last six meetings with Blues.
  • In his 96 games as Wolves manager in the top flight, McCarthy has managed to get his average points tally to just 0.98 a game.
  • Steven Fletcher is Wolves’ top scorer in the league so far this season, getting his ninth strike against Tottenham at the weekend.
  • Birmingham City’s first FA Cup final ended in misery, losing to Midlands rivals West Brom 2-1 in 1931, and they have failed to find any success in the competition since.
  • Wednesday’s visitors last lost to Wolves at Molineux back in December 2010, with Stephen Hunt (pictured, right) getting the only goal of the game.
  • Birmingham had three different managers whilst playing in the Premier League, with Steve Bruce their most successful after winning 47 games from 165.
  • Hughton's side have only lost two of their last nine away matches in the FA Cup.
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Field Report
Reader's Predictions
Top 3 Predictions
  • Wolves 2-0 Birmingham City
    18.42 %
  • Wolves 1-0 Birmingham City
    14.47 %
  • Wolves 2-1 Birmingham City
    11.84 %
Head to Head
FA Cup ‎(FA)‎ 18 Jan 2012 Wolves 0 - Birmingham City 1
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FA Cup ‎(FA)‎ 7 Jan 2012 Birmingham City 0 - Wolves 0
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Premier League ‎(EPL)‎ 1 May 2011 Birmingham City 1 - Wolves 1
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Premier League ‎(EPL)‎ 12 Dec 2010 Wolves 1 - Birmingham City 0
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Premier League ‎(EPL)‎ 7 Feb 2010 Birmingham City 2 - Wolves 1
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Last Five Matches
Wolves
13 May 2012Wigan Athletic 3 - Wolves 2EPL
6 May 2012Wolves 0 - Everton 0EPL
28 Apr 2012Swansea City 4 - Wolves 4EPL
22 Apr 2012Wolves 0 - Manchester City 2EPL
14 Apr 2012Sunderland 0 - Wolves 0EPL
Birmingham City
6 Mar 2012Birmingham City 0 - Chelsea FC 2FA
18 Feb 2012Chelsea FC 1 - Birmingham City 1FA
7 Feb 2012Birmingham City 1 - Portsmouth 0ENG2
28 Jan 2012Sheffield United 0 - Birmingham City 4FA
18 Jan 2012Wolves 0 - Birmingham City 1FA
Odds
Returns: Wolves £560.00 WilliamHill Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25
Returns: Draw £80.00 WilliamHill Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25
Returns: Birmingham City £33.00 Bet365 Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200
Team News
Available Squads
31Dorus De VriesGoalkeeper
- Matt DohertyDefender
3George ElokobiDefender
5Richard StearmanDefender
16Christophe BerraDefender
20Nenad MilijasMidfielder
-Eggert JonssonMidfielder
14Adam Hammill Midfielder
12Stephen HuntMidfielder
9Sylvan Ebanks-BlakeStriker
29Kevin DoyleStriker
1Wayne HennesseyGoalkeeper
11Stephen WardDefender
37Anthony FordeMidfielder
17Adlène GuediouraMidfielder
8Karl HenryMidfielder
10Steven FletcherStriker
17Andrew KeoghStriker
13Colin DoyleGoalkeeper
3David MurphyDefender
23Jonathan SpectorMidfielder
24Curtis DaviesDefender
4Steven CaldwellDefender
12Jordon MutchMidfielder
11Jean BeausejourMidfielder
14Morgaro GomisMidfielder
15Wade ElliottMidfielder
22Nathan RedmondMidfielder
17Adam RooneyStriker
-Jack ButlandGoalkeeper
7Chris BurkeMidfielder
20Enric VallèsMidfielder
18Keith FaheyMidfielder
-Eddy GnahoréMidfielder
19Nikola ZigicStriker
9Marlon KingStriker
Players to Watch
Kevin Doyle
Kevin Doyle
Position: Striker
Squad Number: 29
Games Goals YC RC
2 0 0 0
The Irish striker hasn’t exactly been on fire this season, but he will know the replay against Birmingham will be another chance to get into his stride after converting just two shots in all competitions this term.

Doyle is able to get into great positions, but is also confident running with the ball and both attributes will be required on Wednesday.

Nikola Zigic
Nikola Zigic
Position: Striker
Squad Number: 19
Games Goals YC RC
1 0 1 0
The towering Serbian striker has come alive in recent games for Blues, especially after scoring a brace in their 2-1 Championship win over Ipswich Town.

Not just relying on his size, the former Valencia man can be useful in poaching and punishing sides’ defences if they underestimate his ability.

Prediction

Both sides will be disappointed not to have done more to get the win in the initial fixture, but the hosts’ home advantage could prove to be stronger than the St Andrew’s faithful and be the catalyst for a more polished performance from Premier League side.

McCarthy’s players will also be able to work on their encouraging display against Champions League chasers Tottenham at the weekend and should be the Midlands club that progresses to the next round.

Editor's Prediction
Wolves 2
Birmingham City 1
Results
ALL MATCHES >>
 
Top Scorers
Player   Goals Penalties
Jermaine Beckford Jermaine Beckford
Striker
Leicester City 		6 0
Darius Henderson Darius Henderson
Striker
Millwall 		4 1
Juan Mata Juan Mata
Striker
Chelsea 		4 1
Andy Carroll Andy Carroll
Striker
Liverpool 		4 0
Ramires Ramires
Midfielder
Chelsea 		4 0