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Premier League Preview: Wolverhampton Wanderers - Birmingham City

Mick McCarthy says Wolves' relegation dogfight starts here…

Nov 27, 2009 8:00:16 PM

EPL: Kevin Doyle, Everton v Wolverhampton Wanderers (Getty Images)

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EPL: Kevin Doyle, Everton v Wolverhampton Wanderers (Getty Images)

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Sunday, November 29, Kick-off: 12:00 GMT

Molineux, Wolverhampton

Wolverhampton Wanderers boss Mick McCarthy is one of the Premier League's more realistic and grounded managers. So it was no great surprise when he admitted this week that he has told his players that they are in a relegation battle.

Looking at Wolves' performances so far this season, McCarthy is right to sound the warning bell at this early stage – on the evidence of the first 13 games of the campaign, it's difficult to name three worse teams than the Molineux outfit.

There is plenty of grit in McCarthy's squad, but a glaring lack of quality, at least by Premier League standards. No wins in eight games (in all competitions) tells its own story – Wolves might compete well in most areas of the pitch, but the bottom line is they don't create many chances or score enough goals, something which is reflected in their minus 14 goal difference.

This home fixture against Midlands rivals Birmingham City has inevitably been tagged as a 'six-pointer', but on current form the Blues have enough substance to beat the drop with room to spare, especially with the promise of new signings in January, courtesy of Carson Yeung's gilt-edged cheque book.

Alex McLeish's side have competed well all season and are unbeaten in their last four league games, a confidence-boosting run that includes creditable draws against Liverpool (at Anfield, no less) and Manchester City, plus victories over Sunderland and Fulham. They deserve to start slight favourites against Wolves and I expect them to edge a hard-fought match.

FORM GUIDE

Wolves

Nov 21: Chelsea 4-0 Wolves (Premier League)
Nov 7: Wolves 1-4 Arsenal (Premier League)
Oct 31: Stoke 2-2 Wolves (Premier League)
Oct 24: Wolves 1-1 Aston Villa (Premier League)
Oct 17: Everton 1-1 Wolves (Premier League)

Birmingham

Nov 21: Birmingham 1-0 Fulham (Premier League)
Nov 9: Liverpool 2-2 Birmingham (Premier League)
Nov 1: Birmingham 0-0 Man City (Premier League)
Oct 24: Birmingham 2-1 Sunderland (Premier League)
Oct 17: Arsenal 3-1 Birmingham (Premier League)

TEAM NEWS

Wolves

Star striker Kevin Doyle was rested for the defeat at Chelsea after his tireless exploits for the Republic of Ireland in Paris, and will surely return to the starting line-up for this game.

Talented young defender Michael Mancienne was ineligible to play against parent club Chelsea last weekend, and will also come back into the first-team squad.

Last starting XI in Premier League (v Chelsea): Hennessey, Stearman, Craddock, Berra, Edwards, Henry, Surman, Halford, Jarvis, Castillo, Ebanks-Blake.

Birmingham

Bad news for Alex McLeish - Scottish forward Garry O'Connor requires hip surgery and will be out of action for several months.

Midfielder Teemu Tainio may also need surgery on his troublesome knee.

Last starting XI in Premier League (v Fulham): Hart, Carr, Ridgwell, Johnson, Dann, Bowyer, Larsson, Ferguson, Jerome, Benitez, McFadden.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Wolves - Kevin Doyle

Mick McCarthy took a calculated gamble in resting Doyle – who has been Wolves' best attacking player by far this season – at Chelsea, and hopefully the player will reward him with a match-winning display. Doyle is an elusive and clever forward in the mould of compatriot Robbie Keane – he represents the biggest threat to Birmingham's defence.

Birmingham - Lee Bowyer

The 32-year-old midfielder is enjoying something of a second wind. Written off by many observers, and hardly the most popular of players given his controversial off-the-pitch history, Bowyer is reminding people that he is an intelligent, box-to-box midfielder with plenty left in the tank. He popped up to score the winning goal against Fulham last Saturday and must be watched closely by Wolves this weekend.

PREDICTION

Wolves 1-2 Birmingham

Ollie Irish, Goal.com UK

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