Squad sheets: Birmingham City v Newcastle United

The last five meetings between these teams have ended in draws and it would be no surprise if this one did too. Alex McLeish's team lack creativity and a cutting edge but remain resolute defensively and, with Newcastle United hardly prolific goalscorers on their travels, all the omens suggest this will be a stalemate. Indeed, with McLeish having been told he will not be given funds to buy players in January, it is difficult to see home victories ever becoming commonplace at St Andrew's. Paul Doyle Venue St Andrew's, tomorrow 3pm Tickets £24-£34 (0844 557 1875) Last season N/A Referee M Jones This season's matches 12 Y 43, R 1, 3.67 cards per game Odds Birmingham 7-5 Newcastle 9-4 Draw 23-10 Birmingham Subs from Taylor, Beausejour, Bowyer, Murphy, Derbyshire, Míchel, Jiranek, Parnaby, Phillips, Vallès, Redmond Doubtful None Injured Hleb (calf, 26 Dec), McFadden (knee, 1 Jan) Suspended None Form guide LDDWDL Disciplinary record Y25 R1 Leading scorer Gardner 4 Newcastle Subs from Harper, Williamson, Campbell, Perch, Kadar, Guthrie, Smith, Routledge, Lovenkrands, Xisco Doubtful Campbell (virus) Injured Ameobi (hamstring, 26 Dec), Harper (shoulder, 26 Dec), Gosling (knee, 2 Jan), R Taylor (ankle, Feb), Ben Arfa (leg, Apr) Suspended None Form guide WLDLDL Disciplinary record Y40 R1 Leading scorer Carroll 10 Match pointers • Birmingham have won one of their 10 Premier League matches with Newcastle • Andy Carroll has either scored or assisted a goal in eight of his last 10 games • Birmingham have scored 27 goals in their 27 league home matches, but never more than twice in a game • Alex McLeish's side have conceded 32 goals in 39 Premier League home games since his arrival, but never more than two in one game • Newcastle have made the most infringements (278) in the division this season