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Norwich City - Birmingham City

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Alex McLeish's Birmingham team travel west today to take on Glen Roeder's Norwich side.

Birmingham
Birmingham have done exceptionally well this month, with three league wins on a row. Despite their loss to Southampton in the league cup.


Norwich
Norwich haven't been so lucky. They are yet to record a victory in the league this year. A loss to Coventry at the start of the season and a draws to Blackpool and Cardiff is Norwich's poor start to the season. But they did show a good fightback spirit to draw 2-2 at Cardiff.

Team news
Norwich striker Arturo Lupoli may replace Jamie Cureton but midfielder Darel Russell may play up front again.

Midfielder Sammy Clingan (ankle) should play but winger David Bell (ankle) will have to wait for his debut.

Birmingham welcome back Martin Taylor in place of Stephen Kelly after the centre-back was rested for Carling Cup defeat by Southampton.

Striker James McFadden and midfielder Sebastian Larsson were also rested and are set to return.

Last time
Norwich City 1, Birmingham City 0 (March 13, 2007): Darren Huckerby’s magical second half strike derailed Birmingham’s Championship title push. City’s flying wide man blitzed through the back pedalling Blues rearguard on a 45-yard burst before crashing an unstoppable right footer past Doyle. Huckerby’s understated one handed salute in front of the Barclay faithful barely did justice to the sublime goal – his 11th of a productive campaign completing a memorable league double for Peter Grant’s resurgent outfit.

Players to watch
Former Arsenal striker Arturo Lupoli got two past Cardiff in their 2-2 draw. Sources say that he will start on the pitch this week replacing 'it'. It is believed that he is now at match fitness.
The man on everyone's lips will be expected to fire up again today. Kevin Phillips has scored in Birmingham's last three league games. One of them coming off the bench and scoring the winning goal that kicked off Birmingham's year.

Odds
Norwich 21/10
Draw 23/10
Birmingham 13/10

My last word
I can't see Norwich winning this one. The on fire Birmingham squad will, as much as I hate to say it, will beat Norwich 2-1. I reckon a Phillips double and a Lupoli goal. Fans from both squads can post today. Will post the team news as soon as I get it.

OTBC

Latest 10 comments

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posted Aug 30, 2008

If you asked me at the start of the season for a point against, in my opinion the best squad in the Championship by a country mile, I would taken it with joy.

Come on Roeder get a striker who can get at least 20 goals this season.

OTBC

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posted Aug 30, 2008

You (Birmingham) finished with some quality chances. It seemed like you were destined to steal the win, especially when Phillips was on a one on one with Marshall, but it just didn't go right for you (Thank God).

Overall we were the better side over the entire game, especially in the first half, and we had some good chances ourselves, but you had 2 chances that seemed bound for a goal, but they didn't go in, so maybe, both sides will be happy with a draw.

But we (Norwich) need to start winning games. We're going to be languishing at the bottom of the table all season if we don't start putting chances away when we're on top in a game. It's all good playing good football, but as SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO many have said, it's not performances that win games, it's goals, and so far we are SEVERELY lacking that unfortunately.

We're desperate for a big striker who can finish, and i fear whats going to happen if we don't bring one in...

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posted Aug 30, 2008

If City can play like this, they will blow away many sides in this Division, but Birmingham have quality. Without a target man and Russell attacking from midfield, City will go on drawing too many games.

A draw was a good result today though! OTBC!

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posted Aug 30, 2008

nothings changed ,most teams outplay us ,but we somehowe come out on top ,


kro.

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posted Aug 30, 2008

Well, only that this time you didnt come out on top, and could of snatched the game at the end (which would have been most unfair)

However a fantastic perfomance from Norwich today which im delighted with.

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posted Aug 30, 2008

Song of the day " SILENT NIGHT" , is everybody happy or what ,come out and play BLUE boys, im or what at the moment but still happy with a draw.

kro.

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posted Aug 30, 2008

Wolves thrashed Nottingham Forest to go top of the Championship.
we are top of the league we are top of the league laugh

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comment by U11262731

posted Aug 30, 2008

DAM YOU NORWICH!!!

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posted Aug 30, 2008

Let's not beat about the bush, it was a fair result and stands us in good stead to snatch three points off Doncaster in a few weeks!ok

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comment by U8896108

posted Aug 30, 2008

Just come back from Wolvesdoh and finished my Baltiok

And again a very impressive performance, but many fans i spoke to (as i was wearing my blues top) think they are going to walk the league.

Well just because we slipped up and only got 1pt does not mean (after lossing during the week) that we are no longer favorites.

I now look forward to wheb we get to play them, then we will seeerm Its gonna be a crackerok

The KiD

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