Birmingham City and Coventry City face-off in bizarre St Andrew’s meeting

Birmingham City and Coventry City face each other in a bizarre FA Cup Fourth Round clash on Saturday at St Andrew’s.

League One outfit Coventry are currently tenants of Birmingham’s following problems with the renewal of their contract to stay at the Ricoh Arena.

Pep Clotet’s Birmingham City side will, however, be the designated ‘away’ side despite playing in their own home ground.

The Championship side were pulled out the velvet bag as the away side in the Fourth Round draw; there had been speculation that Blues would be forced to sit in their own designated ‘away’ end.

However, the two sides have come to an agreement to share 50 per cent of the stadium each; an allocation which has been sold out by the two opponents.

Coventry City made it to this stage of the competition after beating Bristol Rovers 3-0 in a replay; the Sky Blues drew the first tie 2-2.

Birmingham, meanwhile, scored a last-minute winner to beat Blackburn Rovers 2-1 with ten-men in the previous round.

Team news

Coventry City have no fresh injury concerns.

The ‘visitors’ will be boosted by the return of Harlee Dean; the defender is eligible for selection after serving a two-match suspension.

Birmingham will, however, be without Maikel Kieftenbeld due to a knee injury suffered in a 1-0 victory over Leeds United last April.

Coventry City manager Mark Robins said:

“I’m hoping both sets of supporters enjoy it. It’s about entertainment but there’s a cup tie to be played and we want to go through to the next round.

“They’ve allowed us to fulfill our fixtures this season and that shouldn’t be forgotten everything they’ve done has been with a touch of class.

“We have to take them game by game and then assess things after the game. There’s one eye on Tuesday from me but that’s it everyone else is focused on this game.”

Birmingham City boss Pep Clotet said:

“I love the FA Cup, we love knock-out competitions.

“To get through having played with 10 men against Blackburn Rovers (in the third round) showed our character.

“I think Saturday will be an exciting game, we are looking forward to it.

“Any win in the cup gives you a lift, we have since gone on a run of four games unbeaten, we have a few players back from injury, confidence is high. We have shown that we have been able to stand up against a tough run.”

Head-to-head

Coventry City wins – 17

Draws – 15

Birmingham City wins – 23

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