Premier League Preview: Birmingham City - Manchester City

New Life at St Andrews

Birmingham City fans have been given reason to celebrate after Carson Yeung's takeover of the club. The Asian businessman has finally completed his protracted takeover of the Midlands outfit and will reportedly hand boss Alex McLeish around £40 million to spend during the January transfer window.

The attention generated by the takeover has taken the spotlight off McLeish as the Scot looks to guide the Premier League newcomers to relative safety in the Premier League. A 2-1 win over Sunderland last weekend ended a bitter run of three straight defeats.

McLeish will have his hands tied for Birmingham’s encounter with Manchester City as first choice keeper Joe Hart misses out due to the terms of his loan agreement. Maik Taylor will step in for young Hart, making his first start of the season.

Options Abound for Hughes

Coming off their 5-1 thrashing of Scunthorpe United in the League Cup, Manchester City look to finally get a victory in the league after a run of three successive draws.

Manager Mark Hughes was livid with his team’s defensive lapses against Fulham last weekend, which saw the home side give away a 2-0 lead. Clean sheets have been scarce for the Citizens this season, and Hughes will be looking for ways to get his newly assembled back four on the same page.

Hughes will also be suffering from a selection migraine as his squad nears full fitness. With the likes of Nedum Onuoha and Robinho on the mend from injury, the Welsh boss will soon have his entire squad to choose from.

The plethora of options will bring about an interesting selection controversy as some big names will surely have to give way to desolate life on the bench. Hughes may be enjoying the new riches at the club, however his job is now more pivotal than ever in guiding a talented and star-filled squad in to the top four.

FORM GUIDE

Birmingham City

Sunderland 2-0 Birmingham (League Cup)
Birmingham 1-2 Bolton (Premier League)
Burnley 2-1 Birmingham (Premier League)
Arsenal 3-1 Birmingham (Premier League)
Birmingham 2-1 Sunderland (Premier League)

Manchester City

Man City 3-1 West Ham (Premier League)

Aston Villa 1-1 Man City (Premier League)
Wigan 1-1 Man City (Premier League)
Man City 2-2 Fulham (Premier League)
Man City 5-1 Scunthorpe (League Cup)

TEAM NEWS

Birmingham

Goalkeeper Maik Taylor will make his first start between the sticks this weekend as a stand-in for Joe Hart as Hart misses out on the tie against his parent club.

Gregory Vignal is back in the side after recovering from a hamstring strain.

Midfielder Keith Fahey misses out with an ankle knock.

Squad: Taylor, Carr, R Johnson, Dann, Ridgewell, Parnaby, Queudrue, Vignal, Larsson, Tainio, Ferguson, Bowyer, McFadden, Carsley, Doyle, Jerome, O'Connor, Phillips, Benitez, D Johnson.

Manchester City

Mark Hughes will be enjoying his selection headache as he picks from a nearly fully fit squad.

Kolo Toure and Martin Petrov should return from their respective injuries that kept the pair out of City’s victory over Scunthorpe.

Craig Bellamy and Wayne Bridge should also make their way back into the team after being rested for the midweek cup clash.

Injured pair Nedum Onuoha and Robinho are close to returning to first team action.

Squad: Given, Richard, Zabaleta, Lescott, Toure, Bridge, Kompany, Ireland, Wright-Phillips, Bellamy, De Jong, Barry, Sylvinho, Santa Cruz, Adebayor, Tevez, Taylor, Weiss, Johnson.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Birmingham

Scottish international James McFadden enjoyed an outstanding performance last weekend in Birmingham’s 2-1 win over Sunderland, netting a fantastic goal. After putting injuries and illnesses in the past, McFadden’s enhanced form could help Alex McLeish grab vital points at this crucial stage of the season.

Manchester City

Joleon Lescott took the blame for Fulham’s equaliser last weekend, saying he and his new team mates are still gelling into a cohesive unit. With Kolo Toure back from injury, Lescott should line-up alongside the Ivory Coast international as City look for their first clean sheet since Portsmouth in August.

PREDICTION

Birmingham 1-1 Manchester City

Will Ashwell, Goal.com UK