Birmingham and Coventry ready for another clash at St Andrews

Birmingham face Coventry City in an FA Cup fourth round replay on Tuesday evening, following a goalless draw in the first tie.

There is an incentive for the winners, with another midlands-based club on the horizon in the shape of Brendan Rodger’s Leicester City in the fifth round, just two wins from Wembley.

The Blues come into the clash on the back of an impressive home victory at the hands of promotion-chasing Nottingham Forest, while Coventry also secured a crucial three points in their push for promotion, coming from behind to see off Bristol Rovers at the Memorial Stadium.

There was very little to split the two sides in the first game, so it is set to be another close encounter between the sides who are ground sharing this season.

Team News

Scott Hogan is ineligible for the clash after not being registered prior to the first game, while midfielders Dan Crowley and Kerim Mrabti are set to miss out through injury.

For the visitors, they have no fresh injury concerns for the clash at St Andrews.

Birmingham boss Pep Clotet will look to attack as his side seek progression at the second attempt:

“Now we are facing a new challenge. The month of February is congested in regard the fixtures.

“The FA Cup replay was forced because of the draw between us and Coventry City and of course it adds another game to that.

“But for our mentality it is very important that we always face challenges with a view to becoming stronger after them and we certainly want to be competitive in the Cup.

“For us it has served a good purpose already, giving us a boost in the Blackburn Rovers tie in the Third Round, which we took into the league.

“Now we have the opportunity to get into the Fifth Round which would mean a lot to the Club and supporters.

“That is our mentality: to see this game as part of the new challenge we face and do our utmost to come through it successfully.”

Head-to-head

The two sides have met 42 times in all competitions, with Coventry having the better of the head to head, winning 16 times, while there have been 14 draws and the Blues have won on 12 occasions.

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