Preview | Birmingham City v Swansea City
Swansea City will be hoping to return to winning ways when they travel to St Andrew's to face Birmingham City on Tuesday evening. (7.45pm)
Since the match was originally due to be played on September 10, both sides have improved their form. Heading into the September fixture both sides had just picked up their second win of the season, since then the Blues have recorded five wins in 11 outings and the Swans have picked up six wins.
Russell Martin will be hoping to bounce back after a frustrating draw with Wigan Athletic while Birmingham City will be looking to build on an away win against Stoke City.
Team news
The Swans have skipper Matt Grimes back from suspension after the midfielder served his one-match ban against Wigan.
With no fresh injury concerns, Martin will otherwise have the same squad to choose from when the Swans face Birmingham City.
Joe Allen remains absent as he focuses on returning in time to play his part in Wales' World Cup campaign, while Liam Walsh is the only other long-term absentee.
Pre-match views
Jay Fulton: "We need to start games better, to start games faster, to start games the way we have been finishing them.
"We should be starting the game at the right intensity because that’s what we prepare to do, and so that is something we are going to have to look at.
"We have a chance to bounce back quickly, there are two games and we have to respond.
"They are both away so it will be tough. There will be a lot of travelling involved, but we have to be ready for that because we have done well in this period up to now. It’s up to us to make sure we finish it on the right note."
John Eustace: "We’ve got two really big home games coming up, but the most important thing for me is that we’re competitive.
"We’ve got injuries and suspensions so it will be interesting to see how we cope with that in the game on Tuesday, but the lads will be prepared and they’ll be ready to give it 100 per cent."
Remember the last time?
A late strike from substitute Riley McGree saw Swansea City slip to a 2-1 defeat on their last visit to St Andrew’s.
The Swans dominated possession in a first half short on chances, with Olivier Ntcham shooting wide for the visitors and the home side having a goal ruled out for offside through Scott Hogan.
But Birmingham broke the deadlock straight after the restart as Troy Deeney finished well after good work from Tahith Chong.
The Swans rallied, however, and levelled with 13 minutes to play when substitute Michael Obafemi produced a fine finish after a great pass from Ryan Manning.
But the Blues struck the winner just five minutes later as McGree tapped into an empty net despite a fine stop from Ben Hamer.
Prime numbers
2 – Swansea have won just two of their last 10 league games against Birmingham, with just one of those coming at St Andrew’s in 2020.
4 – In fact, in 22 visits to St Andrew’s in all competitions dating back to December 1946, the Swans have just four victories to their name.
8 - Birmingham's Scott Hogan is in fine form this season with eight league goals already under his belt. He is one of the leagues in-form strikers.