Birmingham v Blackburn preview

Follow the action from St Andrews live on Sky Sports

By Rob Parrish   Last updated: 9th May 2008

Alex McLeish Birmingham

McLeish: Time running out

Skysports.com prediction: Birmingham 2 Blackburn 2
One to watch: Maik Taylor
Sky Bet odds: Birmingham 21/20 Draw 9/4 Blackburn 11/4
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Birmingham go into their final game of the season knowing even a victory at home to Blackburn may not be enough to keep them in the Premier League.

Alex McLeish's side have slipped into the bottom three after a miserable recent run which has seen them win just one of their last nine matches.

Blues' 2-0 defeat at the hands of relegation rivals Fulham last time out saw them slide into the relegation places, one point adrift of the Cottagers and Reading.

And should either of that duo record a victory in their respective matches at Portsmouth and Derby, then Birmingham will be back in the Championship for the second time in three years.

But if Fulham and Reading are both beaten, then a point would be enough for the Midlands outfit, given their superior goal difference.

The St Andrews showdown can be seen live on Sky Sports, on what promises to be a thrilling finale to the Premier League season.

But Blackburn will not be arriving in Birmingham simply to make up the numbers, as Mark Hughes' side have their sights set on sixth in the table.

If they can edge above Aston Villa on the final day of the season, then Rovers would secure entry into the Intertoto Cup this summer, where the prize of a Uefa Cup berth is on offer.

Team news

McLeish is sweating on the fitness of two key players before naming his side for the make-or-break showdown.

Defender Liam Ridgewell came off at half-time during the defeat by Fulham last weekend after sustaining an ankle injury.

And forward James McFadden has suffered a reaction following knee surgery, although McLeish is still hopeful he will be able to play through the pain barrier.

Rovers are hoping to have striker Benni McCarthy back in contention after he missed their last two matches with a hamstring injury.

Giant centre-back Christopher Samba played the full 90 minutes of last weekend's 3-1 win over Derby after a thigh problem and is again set to start.

Birmingham v Blackburn. Click here to bet.