This weekend clash between the 16th and 13th placed team in the Barclay Premier League will be an absolute cracker of a game. The desire to impress the teeming supporters at St Andrews will definitely be the motivating factor in this fixture. With relegation worries threatening to scuttle their Carling Cup triumph, Birmingham will definitely be all out for the three points at stake.

present form

The Blues have not had it so good the season, as they have lost some vital points both at home and away. They however managed a 1-1 draw away to Blackburn rovers last weekend courtesy of a first half strike by veteran midfielder Lee Bowyer in the 32nd minutes of play.

Sunderland on the other hand is not faring better, as they lost gallantly to an inspired West Bromwich Albion team 2-3 at home. It was a game that produced a lot of exciting moments. They also got spanked away to Manchester city 5-0 penultimate weekend and it will definitely be a tough game at St Andrews for Asamoah Gyan and company.

players to watch

Cameron Jerome

Cameron is one of the most energetic forward in the English Premiership with astonishing pace and good positional play. He has however not found the net as often as he would have wished this season. He remains Birmingham main threat in attack.

Steven Carr

The ageless skipper of the Blues is always a delight to watch in every game he plays for his team. He is so good in overlapping and making excellent pull out.

Stephane Sessegnon

He is an intelligent midfielder with excellent vision and dribbling skills. Stephane who has been a regular feature in the Black Cats starting line-up can create a lot of problems for opposing defenders with his amazing runs.

Asamoah Gyan

The Ghanaian international has had a fairy tale season with the Black Cats, scoring some crucial goals in the process. He is a workaholic with a knack for the impossible. Asamoah is very good in the air and he is a real fighter on the field of play.

predictions

This game would be a tight one to call, as both teams are capable of achieving the impossible. The possibility of the game ending in a barren or score draw is so high considering that both teams are equally matched. A win for Birmingham would however be an excellent result considering how close they are to relegation, while a Win for Sunderland will secure them a place in the Premier League next season.