FA Cup replay: Birmingham v Leeds match preview

A look ahead to tonight's FA Cup Third Round replay at St Andrews

This match could come down to how much Birmingham would appreciate an extra fixture in their season, as they look nervously over their shoulder towards the Championship relegation zone.

They are five points clear of it as things stand, having won just one of their last seven league games. They looked set to improve on that record at the weekend, only for Adam Hammill’s goal in the last minute denying Lee Clark the win over his former side Huddersfield.

Leeds sit five points off the Championship play-off places, although their form is not top-rate either. A 2-0 defeat to Barnsley on Saturday was their third loss in four Championship games. Neil Warnock is sure to demand improvement against Birmingham, with a home tie against Tottenham on offer to the winners of the replay.

KICK-OFF: Tuesday, 7.45pm

PAST THREE MEETINGS...

Leeds 1 (Becchio) Birmingham 1 (Elliott), FA Cup, January 2013

Leeds 0 Birmingham 1 (Lita), Championship, October 2012

Leeds 1 (McCormack) Birmingham 4 (Zigic 4), Championship, January 2012

STATS...

In FA Cup meetings between these two, Leeds have 3 wins to Birmingham’s 1.

Birmingham are unbeaten in five against Leeds, the Yorkshire side’s last win coming in September 2006, a match featuring an own goal for either side and two goals for Northern Irish striker David Healy that saw Leeds emerge 3-2 victors.

ODDS...

Birmingham to win: 2.46

Leeds to win: 3.15

Draw: 3.5

TV: Highlights on ITV1 on Wednesday 16 January at 10.50pm.