FA Cup: Birmingham City v Swansea City match preview

A look ahead to this weekend’s fourth-round tie at St Andrew’s

Swansea manager Michael Laudrup looks on from the touchline (GETTY IMAGES)

The FA Cup has been a welcome distraction to Michael Laudrup’s Swansea side after their third round victory against Manchester United at Old Trafford saw them register a first win for seven games. Back-to-back defeats followed in the league since that famous victory at the start of the year and last season’s Capital One Cup winners will be hoping to advance past a Birmingham side who are also struggling in their league.

The Blues’ victory against Bristol Rovers in the last round was their second victory in six games and they remain in the bottom half of the Championship.

Birmingham’s new loan signing Albert Rusnak is eligible for the tie at St. Andrew’s after joining from Manchester City on Tuesday.

Swansea defenders Chico Flores and Gary Monk remain in contention despite a reported training ground fracas which resulted in police being called to the scene. The Swans, who this week have been given approval to expand the Liberty stadium capacity from 21,000 to 33,000, can still call on Neil Taylor who is subject to a rejected bid from Premier League rivals Fulham.

KICK-OFF: Saturday, 3pm

PAST THREE MEETINGS…

Birmingham 3 (Burn, Green, Adeyemi) Swansea 1 (Bony), Capital One Cup, September 2013

Birmingham 0 Swansea 0, Championship, December 2008

Swansea 2 (Gomez, Jaidi og) Birmingham 3 (Bent, Phillips 2), Championship, November 2008

STATS…

Birmingham have one win in their last 10 matches at home in all competitions

With no win in nine games, Swansea are on the longest winless streak of any team in the Premier League

Swansea’s third round FA Cup win against Manchester United was their first ever victory at Old Trafford

ODDS…

Birmingham to win: 3.7

Swansea to win: 2.0

Draw: 3.5

TV: Highlights on ITV at 10.45pm