Birmingham and Everton clash at St Andrews this weekend in what should be a cracking game. In some ways Alex McLeish has followed the David Moyes blueprint for Premier League success by building a hard-working, efficient, hard to beat Blues side in Everton’s image. Like the Toffees over the past few seasons, Alex has built his team on a firm defensive base and that ethic has paid off handsomely during the 2009/10 campaign.

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The Times’ chief football writer Patrick Barclay has made his predictions for this weekend’s Premier League fixtures as he competes in the The New Football Pools - Football Writer’s league for charity. He has gone mainly with the favourites although he has also predicted a couple of upsets.

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Birmingham and Everton clash at St Andrews this weekend in what should be a cracking game. In some ways Alex McLeish has followed the David Moyes blueprint for Premier League success by building a hard-working, efficient, hard to beat Blues side in Everton’s image. Like the Toffees over the past few seasons, Alex has built his team on a firm defensive base and that ethic has paid off handsomely during the 2009/10 campaign.

(more…)

Birmingham and Everton clash at St Andrews this weekend in what should be a cracking game. In some ways Alex McLeish has followed the David Moyes blueprint for Premier League success by building a hard-working, efficient, hard to beat Blues side in Everton’s image. Like the Toffees over the past few seasons, Alex has built his team on a firm defensive base and that ethic has paid off handsomely during the 2009/10 campaign.

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Despite Portsmouth beating Birmingham in the FA Cup last weekend, this league encounter is no foregone conclusion. The 2-0 Pompey cup win was far from one-sided and it would have been very interesting to see what would have happened if Liam Ridgewell’s ‘goal’ had been allowed to stand as it should have. Alex McLeish’s side will want revenge tonight and with the determination and experience they have in their ranks; I think Portsmouth will only get a draw at best.

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Portsmouth may be destined for the drop from the Premier League following a terrible season on and off the pitch but they still have the chance for FA Cup glory when they take on Birmingham this weekend. Alex McLeish’s team have been the surprise package of the season and have already pulled off some superb results in this competition despite being drawn away in every round. They still have a chance of European qualification via the league but will certainly fancy their chances of cup success on the South-Coast.

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Joe Hart is in the England squad for tonight’s game with Egypt and that call-up is thoroughly deserved after an excellent season on loan at Birmingham. Hart has played a key role in Alex McLeish’s team’s superb first season back in the Premier League. Defensively Birmingham have been outstanding with Hart a consistent figure between the sticks.

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Former Arsenal star Alexander Hleb will be on the move again this summer after declaring his unhappiness at Stuttgart. The Belarusian had moved to his former club on a season long loan deal from Barcelona. However, he is not happy with the way former Tottenham manager Christian Gross is using him and the amount of times he has been substituted. Hleb’s latest comments will alert a number of English clubs to his availability. It would be no real surprise if he was to return to these shores as Hleb was highly regarded for the his performances with the Gunners and the likes of Birmingham and Sunderland are sure to be interested.

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Wigan face another tough fixture this weekend when they travel to St Andrews’ with just 2 points separating the Latics from the relegation zone. Roberto Martinez has not enjoyed the best of first seasons in charge and needs to halt a win-less run of 6 matches (3 defeats) as soon as possible. That seems highly unlikely this weekend as Birmingham are unbeaten in their last nine at home although they have lost back-to back league games for the first time since November.

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The Liverpool v Everton match was an intriguing contest between two of the form sides in the Premier League. Like all Merseyside derbies there was the usual passion, commitment and controversy that games between these two great clubs always bring.

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