Squad sheets: Birmingham City v Coventry City

An eighth outing in knockout competition this season for Birmingham somewhat masks their relegation plight in the Premier League. What price safety compared to a dazzling day out at Wembley, against Arsenal, next month? Coventry's surge into fourth place in the Championship in late October is but a distant memory amid the gloom of eight league matches without a win. Yet they might have a squeak at St Andrew's if Birmingham's midweek Carling Cup exertions have taken their toll. Russell Kempson Venue St Andrew's, Saturday 3pm Ref M Dean Odds Birmingham 16-19 Coventry 9-2 Draw 11-4 Head to head Birmingham 21 Coventry 16 Draws 14 Birmingham Subs from Taylor, Phillips, Fahey, Hleb, Parnaby, Beausejour, O'Shea, Murphy, Mutch, Derbyshire, Larsson Doubtful Gardner, Jerome, Johnson Coventry Subs from Ireland, Turner, Clarke, Cameron, Bell, Jutkiewicz, Platt, Osbourne Doubtful Turner Match pointers Coventry have won four of their past six visits to St Andrew's, although Birmingham have a good Cup record against lower-division sides, winning 10 from their past 11.