Football News

Birmingham City entertain Everton on Saturday afternoon at St Andrew's and will be looking to grab another win that would aid their slim hopes of grabbing a Europa League qualification spot next season.

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Alex McLeish's outfit grabbed a 2-1 win at Portsmouth on Tuesday evening with hit-man Cameron Jerome at the double and the three points have put further pressure on city rivals Aston Villa, who sit in sixth place.

A success against the Goodison Park outfit would nudge Birmingham five points ahead of their weekend opponents, with David Moyes' men sitting directly one place below and two points behind at present.

Trio James McFadden (groin), Lee Carsley (ankle) and Teemu Tainio (knee) are closing in on a return to the first team after their respective injury lay-offs.

Everton are also refusing to give up on the possibility of securing European football for next season following a recent resurgence.

Hull City were demolished 5-1 at Goodison Park on Sunday as the Toffees bounced back from a 2-1 defeat at Tottenham the previous weekend.

Back-to-back successes against Chelsea and Manchester United in February did much to boost confidence in the ranks and the Merseyside club are now just four points adrift of Aston Villa in seventh place.

"We want to fight for the European spots," declared fit-again midfielder Mikel Arteta after claiming a brace against Hull. "We have got ten games to go now and we are ready for it."

First the Toffees must right a disappointing recent home record against Birmingham. They have won only one of six Premier League encounters against the Blues on home soil and the 188BET odds suggest a draw is the most likely outcome this weekend.

Earlier this season their FA Cup hopes were ended by a 2-1 defeat to Birmingham on Merseyside and revenge could well be on the minds of the Everton players on Saturday.

Tim Cahill (calf), Marouane Fellaini (ankle), Tony Hibbert (groin) and Philippe Senderos (hip) are definitely out but Louis Saha could make the bench following a hamstring injury lay-off.