Sandwiched in between Liverpool's Champions League semi-final tie with the Blues of Chelsea comes this clash against the relegation-threatened Blues at St. Andrew's.
The home side were on the side of a derby hammering last week last week as they showed their defensive vulnerability against free scoring second city neighbours Aston Villa.
That derby consigned Birmingham to the relegation zone for the first time since February, but they have impressed in front of their own fans this season and boss Alex McLeish has a couple of aces up his sleeve in the form of talented forwards James McFadden and Mauro Zarate.
Having drawn with Arsenal and beaten Manchester City and Tottenham already this season, Birmingham will be confident of producing another good performance in front of their passionate home crowd against a Liverpool side that will surely have one eye on their perfectly poised Champions League return leg at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday.
Alex McLeish earned a reputation for causing upsets when he was manager of Scotland, who twice defeated France under his guidance. He expects a reaction from his side following what he described as "the worst derby defeat I have had as a manager". McLeish expects a reaction from his side tomorrow, "What has been evident in this team is that we are capable of bouncing back and we can do it again."
An improvement at the back will be needed to negate the threat of a Liverpool attack that is likely to include Peter Crouch and Jermaine Pennant, both on the scoresheet away to Fulham last week, as well as Andriy Voronin and Yossi Benayoun - all players who can trouble Blues.
Liverpool are likely to rest a number of their main players, just as they did at Craven Cottage last week, but even that weakened side contained 10 internationals. Whatever side Benitez chooses, he will expect to have too much for a newly-promoted outfit who have only won one of their seven. In any case, the previous three meetings between the clubshave ended in a draw, a result that may suit both teams again on Saturday evening.
It will be interesting to see if John Arne Riise is selected after his last-minute own goal handed Chelsea a crucial away goal at Anfield on Tuesday. The Norwegian left footer will have been rocked by his error, but with first choice left back Fabio Aureliio missing, Benitez may use this game as a confidence booster for Riise ahead of the return leg against Chelsea. Alternatively, Benitez may blood Argentine youngster Emiliano Insua, who has been impressing in the reserves all season.
FORM GUIDE
Birmingham
Aston Villa - Birmingham 5 - 1 20/04/2008 PREMIER LEAGUE
Birmingham - Everton 1 - 1 12/04/2008 PREMIER LEAGUE
Wigan Athletic - Birmingham 2 - 0 05/04/2008 PREMIER LEAGUE
Birmingham - Manchester City 3 - 1 29/03/2008 PREMIER LEAGUE
Reading - Birmingham 2 - 1 22/03/2008 PREMIER LEAGUE
Birmingham - Newcastle 1 - 1 17/03/2008 PREMIER LEAGUE
Liverpool
Liverpool - Chelsea 1 - 1 22/04/2008 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Fulham - Liverpool 0 - 2 19/04/2008 PREMIER LEAGUE
Liverpool - Blackburn 3 - 1 13/04/2008 PREMIER LEAGUE
Liverpool - Arsenal 4 - 2 08/04/2008 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Arsenal - Liverpool 1 - 1 05/04/2008 PREMIER LEAGUE
Arsenal - Liverpool 1 - 1 02/04/2008 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
TEAM NEWS
Birmingham
Sebastien Larsson is set to return from a knee injury to provide Birmingham with some more creativity in midfield. Captain Damien Johnson is serving a three match ban.
Last Starting XI (4-4-2 v Aston Villa): Maik Taylor - Kelly, Jaidi, Ridgewell, Murphy - Jerome (Kapo 58), Nafti, Muamba, McSheffrey, Zarate (Forssell 58), McFadden.
Liverpool
With fourth place all but sewn up, expect Benitez to rest a few key figures ahead of the Champions League return leg against Chelsea on Wednesday. Fabio Aurelio misses out with the groin injury he picked up in midweek, Daniel Agger is still missing with a foot knock, and Harry Kewell is unlikely to play for the club again as he has a hamstring injury that should keep him out until his contract runs out this summer.
Last Starting XI (4-2-3-1 v Chelsea): Reina - Arbeloa, Carragher, Skrtel, Aurelio (Riise 61) - Mascherano, Alonso - Kuyt, Gerrard, Babel (Benayoun 75) - Torres.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Birmingham - Mauro Zarate - The skillful Argentine has produced flashes of brilliance since he joined Blues on loan in January. The 20 year old forward has scored four goals already, and his goals have been key in the win over Manchester City and the draw with Everton that could end up preserving Birmingham's Premier League status. Showed his inexperience with a petulant reaction to being subbed at Villa last week, but if picked, he will be the best chance Birmingham have of upsetting the Reds.
Liverpool - Jermaine Pennant - Pennant returns to St. Andrews on the back of a goal last week at Fulham. The former Blues loan signing has lost his place in Liverpool's first team this season, so he will have a point to prove to both sets of fans on Saturday. Has crossing to the excellent Peter Crouch could be vital in sending his former club back to the Championship.
The home side were on the side of a derby hammering last week last week as they showed their defensive vulnerability against free scoring second city neighbours Aston Villa.
That derby consigned Birmingham to the relegation zone for the first time since February, but they have impressed in front of their own fans this season and boss Alex McLeish has a couple of aces up his sleeve in the form of talented forwards James McFadden and Mauro Zarate.
Having drawn with Arsenal and beaten Manchester City and Tottenham already this season, Birmingham will be confident of producing another good performance in front of their passionate home crowd against a Liverpool side that will surely have one eye on their perfectly poised Champions League return leg at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday.
Alex McLeish earned a reputation for causing upsets when he was manager of Scotland, who twice defeated France under his guidance. He expects a reaction from his side following what he described as "the worst derby defeat I have had as a manager". McLeish expects a reaction from his side tomorrow, "What has been evident in this team is that we are capable of bouncing back and we can do it again."
An improvement at the back will be needed to negate the threat of a Liverpool attack that is likely to include Peter Crouch and Jermaine Pennant, both on the scoresheet away to Fulham last week, as well as Andriy Voronin and Yossi Benayoun - all players who can trouble Blues.
Liverpool are likely to rest a number of their main players, just as they did at Craven Cottage last week, but even that weakened side contained 10 internationals. Whatever side Benitez chooses, he will expect to have too much for a newly-promoted outfit who have only won one of their seven. In any case, the previous three meetings between the clubshave ended in a draw, a result that may suit both teams again on Saturday evening.
It will be interesting to see if John Arne Riise is selected after his last-minute own goal handed Chelsea a crucial away goal at Anfield on Tuesday. The Norwegian left footer will have been rocked by his error, but with first choice left back Fabio Aureliio missing, Benitez may use this game as a confidence booster for Riise ahead of the return leg against Chelsea. Alternatively, Benitez may blood Argentine youngster Emiliano Insua, who has been impressing in the reserves all season.
FORM GUIDE
Birmingham
Aston Villa - Birmingham 5 - 1 20/04/2008 PREMIER LEAGUE
Birmingham - Everton 1 - 1 12/04/2008 PREMIER LEAGUE
Wigan Athletic - Birmingham 2 - 0 05/04/2008 PREMIER LEAGUE
Birmingham - Manchester City 3 - 1 29/03/2008 PREMIER LEAGUE
Reading - Birmingham 2 - 1 22/03/2008 PREMIER LEAGUE
Birmingham - Newcastle 1 - 1 17/03/2008 PREMIER LEAGUE
Liverpool
Liverpool - Chelsea 1 - 1 22/04/2008 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Fulham - Liverpool 0 - 2 19/04/2008 PREMIER LEAGUE
Liverpool - Blackburn 3 - 1 13/04/2008 PREMIER LEAGUE
Liverpool - Arsenal 4 - 2 08/04/2008 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Arsenal - Liverpool 1 - 1 05/04/2008 PREMIER LEAGUE
Arsenal - Liverpool 1 - 1 02/04/2008 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
TEAM NEWS
Birmingham
Sebastien Larsson is set to return from a knee injury to provide Birmingham with some more creativity in midfield. Captain Damien Johnson is serving a three match ban.
Last Starting XI (4-4-2 v Aston Villa): Maik Taylor - Kelly, Jaidi, Ridgewell, Murphy - Jerome (Kapo 58), Nafti, Muamba, McSheffrey, Zarate (Forssell 58), McFadden.
Liverpool
With fourth place all but sewn up, expect Benitez to rest a few key figures ahead of the Champions League return leg against Chelsea on Wednesday. Fabio Aurelio misses out with the groin injury he picked up in midweek, Daniel Agger is still missing with a foot knock, and Harry Kewell is unlikely to play for the club again as he has a hamstring injury that should keep him out until his contract runs out this summer.
Last Starting XI (4-2-3-1 v Chelsea): Reina - Arbeloa, Carragher, Skrtel, Aurelio (Riise 61) - Mascherano, Alonso - Kuyt, Gerrard, Babel (Benayoun 75) - Torres.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Birmingham - Mauro Zarate - The skillful Argentine has produced flashes of brilliance since he joined Blues on loan in January. The 20 year old forward has scored four goals already, and his goals have been key in the win over Manchester City and the draw with Everton that could end up preserving Birmingham's Premier League status. Showed his inexperience with a petulant reaction to being subbed at Villa last week, but if picked, he will be the best chance Birmingham have of upsetting the Reds.
Liverpool - Jermaine Pennant - Pennant returns to St. Andrews on the back of a goal last week at Fulham. The former Blues loan signing has lost his place in Liverpool's first team this season, so he will have a point to prove to both sets of fans on Saturday. Has crossing to the excellent Peter Crouch could be vital in sending his former club back to the Championship.
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