Blues v Tottenham - Match Preview

Last updated : 29 January 2010 By DSG

Alex McLeish's men suffered their first reversal since a 3-1 defeat at Arsenal on October 17.

The Blues' fine run consisted of 15 games - 12 in the Premier League and three in the FA Cup - before they were blown away 3-0 by Carlo Ancelotti's impressive Stamford Bridge outfit.

 - Football.co.uk match centre

After a slow start to the season, Blues have proved they can cut it with the big boys following their promotion from the Championship last term but it will be interesting to see how they react to this setback.

Much of Blues' success could be put down to their familiar line-up. McLeish has named an unchanged starting 11 in the past ten league fixtures now and they sit comfortably in eighth place but with Harry Redknapp's Spurs coming to town, they could pose a different threat this weekend.

Redknapp and his players should be in confident mood following their 2-0 win against local rivals Fulham on Tuesday which cemented their position ahead of Liverpool and Manchester City in the league table.

McLeish will still be without Lee Carsley (ankle), David Murphy & Teemu Tainio (both knee), Garry O'Connor (hip), Stuart Parnaby (back) and Kevin Phillips (groin).

Spurs must choose their squad without groin victims Jonathan Woodgate and Aaron Lennon, who is said to be some way short of a return and Assou-Ekotto (hip),

Source: DSG