· Last Year's Game - 1-1
· Last Year's Spursometer - 65%
· This season's home game - 2-0 to Spurs
· This week - last year
· What happened in the Premiership in Match 30 2004-5

Full Record of Spurs -v- Birmingham City

Premier        Pl   W   D   L   For-Ag  Pts
Home            4   4   0   0    9 - 2  12
Away            3   0   2   1    2 - 3   2
==========================================
Total (Prem)    7   4   2   1   11 - 5  14
==========================================
Football Lge
Home (Div 1)   28   20  4   4   63 -22  47
Away (Div 1)   28   10  4  14   31 -39  25
==========================================
Total (Div 1)  56   30  8  18   94 -61  72
==========================================
Football Lge
Home (Div 2)    4    1  1   2    6 - 4   3
Away (Div 2)    4    1  2   1    4 - 4   4
==========================================
Total(Div 2)    8    2  3   3   10 - 8   7
==========================================
Total (Prem)    7   4   2   1   11 - 5  14
Total(Div 1)   56   30  8  18   94 -61  72
Total(Div 2)    8    2  3   3   10 - 8   7
==========================================
Grand Total    71   36 13  22  115 -74  93
==========================================

Birmingham

Liverpool  1-1   B'mingham
B'mingham  0-2   Arsenal
West Ham   3-0   B'mingham
B'mingham  1-0   S'derland
M'brough   1-0   B'mingham
B'mingham  1-1   West Brom


Spurs

Fulham     1-0   Spurs
Spurs      3-1   Charlton
S'derland  1-1   Spurs
Spurs      2-2   Wigan
Spurs      3-2   Blackburn
Chelsea    2-1   Spurs

Pos           P  W  D  L  F -A   GD  Pts
 4 Spurs     29 13 10  6  41-28  13  49
18 B'mingham 28  6  6 16  23-39 -16  24

I've heard the word "pivotal" used to describe this game, and was going to use it myself. It certainly is apposite to the circumstances of the game, which is the first of 9 Cup Finals for Spurs, and 10 such crucial fixtures to the hosts this Saturday. Our next two opponents, met last week and played out a 1-1 draw, which did neither of them any favours. Despite any possible late heroics from Harry Redknapp's gang, surely the third relegation place will be filled by either the Brummies or the Baggies?

It's been a terrible season for The Blues, who have spent most of it in the bottom three. Certainly their fourth season in the Premiership has proved to be the most difficult, despite the presence of some big names. However, either those "stars" have under-performed, or manager Steve Bruce has had to suffer more than his fair share of injuries. This week, for example, he will miss his best defender - Matthew Upson - who not so long ago was regularly involved with the England squad. Bruce will also be without Chelsea loanee Jiri Jarosic, and Julian Gray.

Apparently, Bruce has already had the "vote of confidence" assuring him of his post, should the worst happen to the St. Andrews side, but it has to be said that for all the resources available from the Gold-Sullivan empire, Bruce has surely not made best use of the money. Incidentally, Spurs Odyssey does wish Birmingham's managing director, Karren Brady, the best of luck in her recuperation from a very serious illness.

Spurs have a 100% record in their home games against Birmingham, but have yet to win at St. Andrews in the Premiership.

I have also heard a lot of criticism about Jermaine Jenas, scorer of our goal at Stamford Bridge last week, and so nearly the scorer of a second which might have given us a win. Jenas has scored 6 goals from midfield this season, and against this opposition on Boxing Day, he started the move which led to Jermain Defoe's clincher close to full-time, but his involvement did not end there, as Jenas made a run ahead of Defoe into the Birmingham area. Jenas will surely play a full part in this Saturday's game.

On the other hand, right back Paul Stalteri may be feeling pressure from Stephen Kelly breathing down his neck. Kelly scored his first goal for Spurs in this fixture last year, and scored an impressive goal for the Reserves on Monday night. Whether Kelly's defending would be any more reliable than that of the Canadian is another question, but he may get a chance to prove it this week. Mido is a slight doubt, and will have a late fitness test, but otherwise, Martin Jol has no injury worries.

Birmingham will fight, but they need to take the game to Spurs, as a win is what they really need. The situation may lead to more openings for the visitors, and in a highly competitive game, I am hopeful that we will come away with all three points.

The situation is getting more and more tense for Spurs fans, as they can look forward to their most exciting end to a season for several years.

COME ON YOU SPURS!

Follow @spursodyssey