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Full League Record of Spurs -v- Birmingham City
Premier Pl W D L For-Ag Pts
Home 5 4 0 1 11 - 5 12
Away 5 1 2 2 5 - 7 5
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Total (Prem) 10 5 2 3 16 -11 17
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Football Lge
Home (Div 1) 28 20 4 4 63 -22 47
Away (Div 1) 28 10 4 14 31 -39 25
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Total (Div 1) 56 30 8 18 94 -61 72
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Football Lge
Home (Div 2) 4 1 1 2 6 - 4 3
Away (Div 2) 4 1 2 1 4 - 4 4
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Total(Div 2) 8 2 3 3 10 - 8 7
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Total (Prem) 10 5 2 3 16 -11 17
Total(Div 1) 56 30 8 18 94 -61 72
Total(Div 2) 8 2 3 3 10 - 8 7
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Grand Total 74 37 13 24 120 -81 96
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Last Six Premiership results:-
Spurs
Everton 0-0 Spurs
Spurs 2-1 Man City
Liverpool 3-1 Spurs
Spurs 2-1 Liverpool
Hull 1-5 Spurs
West Ham 1-2 Spurs
Birmingham
Watford 0-1 B'mingham
B'mingham 1-0 Preston
Reading 1-2 B'mingham
Man Utd 1-0 B'mingham
B'mingham 1-0 P'tsmouth
B'mingham 0-0 Stoke
Pos P W D L F-A GD Pts
1 Spurs 3 3 0 0 9-3 6 9
8 B'mingham 3 1 1 1 1-1 0 4
Some familiar names return
This will be the 11th Premier League meeting between these two clubs, and the 75th league meeting in all. Historically, Spurs do have the upper hand over "The Blues", but the last time we met (despite Birmingham's subsequent relegation) was the week after we had beaten Chelsea in the Carling Cup Final, which turned out to be a bad case of "after the ball was over" (insert whatever apt catch-phrase you like here). Spurs fans will not want to be reminded that their team lost 4-1, with Forssell getting a hat-trick and former gooner Sebastin Larsson adding to the pain. Larsson is still with the Midlands' side, but Forssell left for Hanover 96.
Birmingham survivors from that last meeting include goalkeepers Maik Taylor and Colin Doyle, along with Liam Ridgewell, David Murphy, Damien Johnson, Gary McSheffrey , Stuart Parnaby and James McFadden. The retention of some key players of course had a lot to do with Birmingham's immediate return to the top flight of domestic football. Birmingham secured their automatic promotion on the last day of the season, when they beat Reading at the Madejski Stadium with goals by midfielder Keith Fahey and 36 year old Kevin Phillips. Reading, despite having the best goal difference of any of the promoted sides or contenders, were consigned to the Play-off semi-final, which they lost, and now have a considerably weakened squad. Kevin Phillips finished top scorer for "The Blues" in their league programme, and remains in the squad where he may be utilised sparingly.
Former Spur Stephen Kelly played against us in March 2008, but left for Fulham during the summer this year, although he has yet to make his official debut. There is another former Spurs full back in their side though - Stephen Carr - whose career was given a re-startafter he spent a few months in the wilderness when his contract at Newcastle ran out. Carr has played 90 minutes of 16 games he has played for Birmingham, including their three league games this season.
Another notable name in the Birmingham squad is Lee Bowyer, signed permanently after a period on loan from West Ham. There will be a good welcome for this particular ex-Hammer, I am sure!
Scottish International James McFadden is worthy of mention. He proved loyal to the Birmingham cause despite their relegation, no doubt encouraged by the presence of another eminent Scotsman - manager Alex Mcleish.
Birmingham actually achieved a league "double" over us in the 2007-08 season, with their 3-2 win at The Lane in December 2007 sealed by Larsson's last minute strike. Mcleish's career in England was off to a winning start, and the defeat was actually the first for Juande Ramos at Spurs.
Birmingham have made a steady start to their league season, making it very hard for Man United to beat them 1-0 on the opening day, beataing Portsmouth with a McFadden penalty, and drawing 0-0 at Stoke. They did score twice at Southampton on Tuesday night (Bowyer and Carsley) but goals have been hard to come by so far.
In contrast to Birmingham's early season record, it's been goals galore for Spurs fans so far with 14 scored in four games, nine of which have been in the league. Most of the players who took part in our 5-1 win at Doncaster will have to make way for the return of Ledley King (hopefully), Assou-Ekotto, Lennon, Palacios, Modric, Keane and Defoe. Harry Redknapp is going to have quite a dilemma regarding just who he has on the bench. Pace and the surprise element could be the key to success in this game, and after his impressive return to Spurs colours, I'd like to see Giovani Dos Santos on that bench, ready to add late fire to the game.
Jermaine Jenas, Gareth Bale and Jonathan Woodgate are getting close to freedom from injury, whilst Birmingham are top of the injury league with goalkeeper Maik Taylor, Liam Ridgewell and David Murphy on the long-term list of absentees.
We must all realise that any game is a potential banana skin, but I'll take Spurs to secure their fourth successive Premier League win and stay top of the league for the International break. A clean sheet would be nice, and I'll settle for 2-0.
Did you know? Spurs legend Dave Mackay spent two years as Birmingham manager after he left Doncaster Rovers. Birmingham were unfortunately in the old Division Three at the time.
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