Local Derby As Birmingham Battle Against West Brom

The FA Cup draw has thrown up a West Midlands derby as Premier League West Brom take the short journey to Birmingham`s St Andrew`s Stadium.

Birmingham`s appointment of manager Gary Rowett has seen the club go from relegation fodder to a team with an outside chance of claiming a play-off position come the end of the season. The club are unbeaten in three Championship games and progressed through to the fourth stage of this competition by seeing off non-league Blyth Spartans in a tasty encounter.

City found themselves 2-0 down at half time thanks to Robbie Dale grabbing a pair of goals in front of the home supporters. Three Birmingham goals in the space of six minutes saw the second division side get their heads in front, a lead that they would not relinquish. Lee Novak halved the deficit in the 52nd minute before Wes Thomas earned himself the second brace of the match.

Twenty-eight-year-old former non-league star Thomas is a five-time scorer for the West Midlands side. He can be backed at 10/3 with bet365 to add to his tally at any time tomorrow. The same bookmaker has Thomas down at 25/1 to grab consecutive FA Cup braces.

Another key face sure to feature for City is Clayton Donaldson who bagged a hat-trick in the team`s 3-1 victory over Wigan in the game following their Blyth clash. Birmingham`s top scorer with 11 goals in all competitions, the former Brentford man is available at 15/2 (bet365) to open the scoring tomorrow.

West Bromwich Albion, placed in 14th in the Premier League, found themselves in the hat for the fourth round of the FA Cup after thrashing Conference promotion hopefuls Gateshead 7-0 at home.

Saido Berahino and Victor Anichebe grabbed the side`s two initial goals in the first half before the former hit another three past Adam Bartlett to take his personal tally to four. Between Liverpool target Berahino`s third and fourth goals, both Chris Brunt and James Morrison got their name on the scoresheet in new manager Tony Pulis` second match in charge.

His four goals at the Hawthorns sent 21-year-old Berahino`s tally to 14 goals for this campaign. The expected future England international is 9/2 (Betvictor, Coral, paddy Power) to hit the first goal against Birmingham tomorrow, whilst he can also be backed at 30/1 with unibet to earn himself his second FA Cup hat-trick in as many games.

With many factors in their favour, Albion are the 11/10 favourites (Betvictor) to find themselves in the fifth round hat. boylesports have priced City up at 31/10 to get one over on their Black Country rivals whilst it`s 13/5 (bet365) should you think the game will end tied after 90 minutes.

In team news, Birmingham may choose to hand a first appearance to new Watford loan signing Lloyd Dyer. The 32-year-old former West Brom winger had scored three times for the Hornets but found himself unable to break into the first team on a consistent enough basis.

He may be joined by recent Young Player of the Month winner Demarai Gray who will be looking to impress the number of Premier League clubs currently scouting him. The 18-year-old hit a hat-trick against Reading in the team`s 6-1 league win and is 23/4 (32red, 888sport, unibet) to grab another goal tomorrow.

West Brom midfielder Graham Dorrans is yet to start a game after being substituted in the side`s Premier league clash against West Ham. Whilst that was a forced substitution through injury, it is not known whether the 27-year-old is still waiting to reach full fitness or whether his absence concerns his potential move to relegation-threatened Burnley. Should it be the former, the Scotsman may return tomorrow.

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23/01/2015     © Frixo 2024