After a disappointing defeat against Everton and a draw at Sunderland, Manchester City have responded in the best possible fashion. A 3-0 win over Wigan Athletic, followed by a 6-1 hammering of Burnley at Turf Moor has seen Roberto Mancini's side wrestle fourth place in the Premier League from Tottenham Hotspur with ruthless style.
City are in free-scoring form with all three of their strikers finding the net in recent weeks, while managing to stay tight at the back. Only six games stand between Mancini and his club's dream of reaching Champions League qualification and a win on Sunday - while Spurs are in FA Cup semi-final action - would certainly put them in the driver's seat.
If anyone can stop City's recent scoring spree, though, it's Birmingham City; under Alex McLeish, the Blues have proved to be a difficult proposition, as Arsenal and Liverpool have found in recent weeks after being held to respective 1-1 draws at St. Andrew's.
Birmingham have not won in five games, returning three draws and two losses from the run-in, but it is testament to the club's season that such a succession of results represents somewhat of a poor spell. McLeish has to be a contender for one of the managers of the season, and victory over City could put his charges well and truly in the hunt for a Europa League place.
FORM GUIDE
Man City
Burnley 1-6 Man City (Premier League)
Man City 3-0 Wigan (Premier League)
Man City 0-2 Everton (Premier League)
Fulham 1-2 Man City (Premier League)
Sunderland 1-1 Man City (Premier League)
Birmingham
Birmingham 1-1 Liverpool (Premier League)
Birmingham 1-1 Arsenal (Premier League)
Blackburn 2-1 Birmingham (Premier League)
Sunderland 3-1 Birmingham (Premier League)
Birmingham 2-2 Everton (Premier League)
TEAM NEWS
Man City
City could be without defenders Sylvinho (calf strain) and Micah Richards (knee), while Pablo Zabaleta misses out through suspension for the final time.
Long-term absentees Wayne Bridge, Stephen Ireland, Michael Johnson, Martin Petrov and Joleon Lescott are still sidelined.
Possible Starting XI: Given; Onuoha, Toure, Kompany, Garrido; Adam Johnson, De Jong, Barry; Tevez, Adebayor, Bellamy.
Birmingham
Maik Taylor is likely to get a rare start on Sunday, as Joe Hart – on loan from Manchester City – is ineligible to play against his parent club.
Lee Carsley is nearing a return to full fitness, but Garry O’Connor and David Murphy are both out
Possible Starting XI: Taylor; Carr, Roger Johnson, Dann, Ridgewell; Gardner, Ferguson, Bowyer, Fahey; Jerome, McFadden.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Man City
It’s a case of take your pick from City’s front three at the moment, but of the players introduced to convert the blue side of Manchester into a European force, Carlos Tevez has made the most explosive start to his Eastlands career. The Argentinean scored against Burnley last Saturday to take his goal tally for the season to 26, and the former Manchester United man possesses the ability to break down a difficult Birmingham defense.
Birmingham
More famed for their ability to frustrate teams this season, Birmingham do not have a single player to hit double figures for goals this season, but Cameron Jerome has been an invaluable presence for Alex McLeish and is poised to notch his 10th strike of the current campaign on Sunday. If the former England Under-21 international does score, while displaying his pace and strength, Birmingham could return to the Midlands with three points.
PREDICTION
Manchester City 2-1 Birmingham City
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