Alan McInally: The weekend ahead for Birmingham City, Aston Villa, Wolves and West Brom
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Birmingham City are on a fantastic run and the players’ confidence will be sky-high.
Alex McLeish has made his side solid at the back, and with that they always stand a chance of nicking the three points.
Blues had a tough start but their results have shown huge improvement and the trip to Molineux is set to be a massive game for both managers and their survival bids.
I’m sure Sunday’s match will be one both gaffers feel they can get something out of.
Wolves were always going to struggle at high-flying Chelsea but it’s the kind of game Mick McCarthy wouldn’t have worried too much about considering the form Ancelotti’s lot are in.
After they went three up within 25 minutes it was a damage-limitation exercise.
This weekend is a different kettle of fish, though, and Mick will be hoping for much more.
Wolves must start winning their home games if they’re to stay up – especially when they’re playing the teams around them and anything but a win won’t be good enough for the home fans.
The manager will demand a massive performance from his side but it won’t be a stroll in the park against Big Eck’s boys.
Villa would have been disappointed with their performance at Turf Moor. Burnley played well again and have made themselves tough to beat at home.
I was chuffed to see Emile Heskey on the score sheet as he’s had a tough time of it.
I did feel he might have to leave Villa to stand a decent chance of making Fabio Capello’s squad for South Africa but I hope he gets more of a look in now after his late equaliser saved his team’s and Martin O’Neill’s blushes.
I get the feeling Martin would bite your hand off if you offered him a point tomorrow afternoon.
Tottenham’s midfield and strike-force move the ball so well at the moment and they can absolutely destroy teams if they’re in the mood, as we saw last weekend.
I would be particularly worried about Niko Kranjcar. If he can dictate play and spray the ball around he’ll be a real handful.
And Jermaine Defoe is in the running for top goalscorer this season after grabbing five against Wigan. Both sides will feel that fourth place is up for grabs with Liverpool in such a rut. It should make for a fairly open game.
I thought Albion’s game against Bristol City would be much tighter than it was but they’re on fire at the moment.
The Baggies seem to be creating chances for fun and are the team that no one wants to play.
Roberto Di Matteo’s side have scored 11 in their last three matches.
Sheffield Wednesday are tomorrow’s opponents and I don’t see them getting a result.
I’m confident enough to say the Baggies will win it by a couple.
