Preview: Blackpool v Birmingham

Birmingham did the double over last season rather convincingly - it's time for revenge.

More importantly though, 'Pool will be looking to maintain their recent momentum and move back into the playoff places, but that won't be easy against an in form Birmingham side.

Lomano Tresor LuaLua has apologised to the fans after being dropped from the side last weekend following him missing a team meeting:

'I just want to apologise to the fans, the manager and the players for the incident and for letting them down.

'It was a misunderstanding. I didn't hear what time we had to meet.

'I thought it was ten to one (as opposed to 20 to). I made a mistake and we all make mistakes. I was punished for it and it was really hurtful to be left out of the team.

'I have been punished and it is important now to focus on the future. I know that it won't happen again.'

Barry Ferguson will skipper the Seasiders against his former club, but Kevin Phillips could be set to miss the encounter through injury. The striker picked up an ankle injury in training this week.

Craig Cathcart is also struggling with injury, whilst Keith Southern has flu.

Neal Eardley is on stand-by to play, and it is rumoured that Jonjo Shelvey could drop back to a deeper midfielder role, behind a front three of the recalled Lua Lua, Matt Phillips and Callum McManaman.

Dropped last week... the perfect apology would be another barnstorming appearance tomorrow.

Liam Ridgewell faces a fitness test, but Jordan Mutch is definitely sidelined through injury.

Our defence never deal well with big strikers...

In 78 league meetings since 1897, Blackpool have won 33, Birmingham 29, with 16 drawn.

Birmingham did the double over Blackpool in the Premier League last season, and their 2-1 victory in January ended a 15-match winless streak in league and cup visits to Bloomfield Road.

The Seasiders have failed to score in only one of the last 13 league clashes, spanning 42 years.

The Seasiders need to score three times to bring their total of goals netted at Bloomfield Road under Ian Holloway to 100 (all comps).

They have committed 138 fouls in Championship matches this term, which is the lowest in the division; but only one fewer than Birmingham.

Blues have found the net in all six fixtures played against current top-half clubs.

Leicester away on Tuesday night.

Seconds Out! Vital Boxing is here!

Vital F1 Prediction League - Join now for Monaco