MX23RW : Thursday, March 2 00:35:52| >> :120:6690:6690:
[monks data]
Jan 31, 2023 at 7.45pm UK at St. Andrew's Stadium
Birmingham
0 - 1
Blackburn

Chong (90+3'), James (120+2')
FT
(aet)
Trusty (100' og.)
Buckley (98'), Brereton Diaz (107'), Travis (114')

Preview: Birmingham City vs. Blackburn Rovers - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Tuesday's FA Cup clash between Birmingham City and Blackburn Rovers, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Birmingham City and Blackburn Rovers meet for the second time in three days as they contest their FA Cup fourth round replay on Tuesday evening.

The two Championship teams played out a 2-2 draw on Saturday, Blues netting a late equaliser to end a poor run of results since the turn of the year.


Match preview

Blackburn Rovers boss Jon Dahl Tomasson on October 1, 2022© Reuters

Birmingham's and Blackburn's priorities currently lie elsewhere, Blues in constant takeover talks and looking to avoid a relegation scrap, with Blackburn bidding to remain in the promotion hunt in the Championship.

Nevertheless, that did not prevent the sides putting on an entertaining spectacle at Ewood Park at the weekend, the tie swinging back and forth throughout the 90 minutes.

Blues held an early advantage before finding themselves 2-1 adrift by 46 minutes, but a 90th-minute Jordan James goal earned the West Midlands side a share of the spoils.

From Blackburn's perspective, it was their second draw in succession after going 27 matches in the Championship without posting a single stalemate.

Jon Dahl Tomasson's side have now gone three games without a win, only prevailing twice in their most recent eight fixtures in all competitions.

Birmingham City manager John Eustace on August 27, 2022© Reuters

Despite occupying fifth place in the Championship, Rovers are underdogs to retain a top-six spot in the long term unless they find the consistency that has been lacking since the start of the season.

Birmingham travelled to the North West having posted five successive defeats in the second tier, their only victory since December 16 coming at Forest Green Rovers in the third round of the FA Cup.

Although they have an extra game on their schedule, John Eustace will feel that the joy of James's late goal could help Birmingham build some momentum going forward.

While they are six points above the bottom three, they are currently the worst performing team in the division and have played a match more than two of the sides below them.

Birmingham City FA Cup form:


Birmingham City form (all competitions):


Blackburn Rovers FA Cup form:


Blackburn Rovers form (all competitions):



Team News

Manchester United's Hannibal Mejbri pictured on July 18, 2021© Reuters

Despite earning a draw at Ewood Park, Eustace may look to make changes to his Blues XI in order to introduce some fresh legs.

Hannibal Mejbri and Juninho Bacuna are both in contention to earn a recall in midfield, while Scott Hogan may get a run out ahead of Lukas Jutkiewicz.

The back five should stay the same with Eustace looking to build some stability in that area of the pitch.

Tomasson could take a similar approach with his Blackburn side with Sammie Szmodics potentially replacing Bradley Dack in the role behind the striker.

Jack Vale may come in for Sam Gallagher in that role, while Lewis Travis is an alternative in central midfield.

Birmingham City possible starting lineup:
Etheridge; Colin, Sanderson, Long, Trusty, Friend; Gardner, Bielik, Mejbri; Khadra, Hogan

Blackburn Rovers possible starting lineup:
Kaminski; Rankin-Costello, Carter, Wharton, Pickering; Buckley, Travis; Hedges, Szmodics, Brereton Diaz; Vale


SM words green background

We say: Birmingham City 1-2 Blackburn Rovers (after extra time)

With Birmingham having finally ended their dismal run against second-tier opposition, they will be confident of progressing through to the fifth round. However, Blackburn have history of bouncing back from disappointing results, and we feel that they could edge this contest, potentially after extra time.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.




ID:505328:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect11693:

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Data Pass: [t, fa-cup, odds, 3472621]

How you voted: Birmingham vs Blackburn

Birmingham City
29.2%
Draw
26.4%
Blackburn Rovers
44.3%
106
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Sunderland's Jack Clarke celebrates scoring against Fulham in the FA Cup on January 28, 2023
Read Next:
FA Cup roundup: Sunderland hold Fulham, Southampton edge Blackpool
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Todays Game Header Right
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Burnley342210268284076
2Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd33197755302564
3Middlesbrough341761156401657
4Blackburn RoversBlackburn34174133838055
5Millwall34159104335854
6Luton TownLuton34141284234854
7Norwich CityNorwich341571248371152
8Watford341311104138350
9Sunderland3413101149381149
10Coventry CityCoventry341310113734349
11West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom33139114436848
12Preston North EndPreston341210123038-846
13Bristol City331111114341244
14Reading33135153848-1044
15Swansea CitySwansea341110134751-443
16Hull City34119143848-1042
17Stoke CityStoke34117163941-240
18Queens Park RangersQPR34109153549-1439
19Birmingham CityBirmingham34108163846-838
20Rotherham UnitedRotherham34813133746-937
21Cardiff CityCardiff3498172538-1335
22Huddersfield TownHuddersfield3387183047-1731
23Blackpool34710173351-1831
24Wigan AthleticWigan33710163052-2231

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Match previews - Daily
Transfer Talk Daily
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!