Manchester United will hope to stretch their lead at the top of the Premier League when they travel to Birmingham on Tuesday evening.
Sir Alex Ferguson's men are undefeated in the league so far this season, are currently two points clear of second-placed Manchester City with two games in hand following their commanding 2-0 Boxing Day triumph over Sunderland at Old Trafford.
Alex McLeish's Blue's meanwhile, are balanced precariously on the edge of the drop zone at the other end of the standings, and will be keen to avoid ending the year in the bottom three.
History is not on Birmingham's side, with United unbeaten in their last 23 matches in all competitions against the Midlands club since losing 5-1 at St Andrews in November 1978.
McLeish's men are likely to be fresher for the encounter, however, after seeing their Boxing Day clash at Everton postponed due to the cold snap. While a Red Devils upset seems unlikely, Birmingham can take heart from their surprise 1-0 triumph over reigning champions Chelsea last month and the fact they are unbeaten in their last four league games. Blues will be wary of striker Dimitar Berbatov, should Ferguson start him as expected, after the Bulgarian's brace sealed United's victory over the Black Cats and took his tally to 13 league goals this season, making him the current top scorer. Midfielder Alexander Hleb, on loan from Barcelona could feature on the bench for Birmingham after recovering from a hamstring injury.
The playmaker picked up the knock in last month's clash against Fulham and has recently resumed training with the squad. He is short of match practice, and McLeish will make a late decision over whether to include him. Blues have no other new fitness worries, while James McFadden is a long-term absentee with a knee problem.
Team News
Ferguson expects to have Nani available for United after the Portugal winger missed Sunday's win over Sunderland with a hip injury. Park Ji-sung has now left for his Asian Cup commitments with South Korea, while Paul Scholes is out with a groin problem.
There are doubts over John O'Shea (calf) and Darren Fletcher, who was sent home from training on Christmas Day with a heavy cold.
Confirmed Line Ups
Birmingham City
Foster
Carr Johnson Dann Ridgewell
Larsson Ferguson Gardner Bowyer
Beausejour Jerome
Subs: Taylor,Phillips,Derbyshire,Fahey,Zigic,Hleb,Jiranex
Manchester United
Van der Sar
Rafael Vidic Ferdinand Evra
Gibson Carrick Anderson Giggs
Rooney Berbatov
Subs:Kuszchak,Neville,Hernandez,Evans,Fletcher,Obertan,Macheda
What our your views on this match I am going for a Birmingham City 1-2 Manchester United
Foster
Carr Johnson Dann Ridgewell
Larsson Ferguson Gardner Bowyer
Beausejour Jerome
Subs: Taylor,Phillips,Derbyshire,Fahey,Zigic,Hleb,Jiranex
Manchester United
Van der Sar
Rafael Vidic Ferdinand Evra
Gibson Carrick Anderson Giggs
Rooney Berbatov
Subs:Kuszchak,Neville,Hernandez,Evans,Fletcher,Obertan,Macheda
What our your views on this match I am going for a Birmingham City 1-2 Manchester United
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