Molineux, Sunday 1200 GMTWOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS:
Mention the dreaded expression 'six-pointer' in the vicinity of most Premier League managers at this time of year and you can usually expect an irritable reaction.
But Mick McCarthy is one manager who is positively embracing such pressure in this Midlands derby.
A week after hitting his Wolves players with a fierce reality check, in the aftermath of their crushing defeat at Chelsea, the time has come to see if McCarthy's blast will have the desired effect.
McCarthy has taken the surprising step of insisting his troops are already scrapping to save their Premier League skins only 13 games into the season.
Wolves face Birmingham before another crucial game against Bolton and the former Republic of Ireland coach has told his players to live with the fear of the drop in an attempt to build a siege mentality.
He said: "There was no point messing about. The players have to embrace it, understand it, recognise it and play with that. You can end up almost with a fear of saying it, not wanting to mention the R- word.
"I've said 'that's rubbish' because that's what we're fighting against. If we're in the bottom two after 13 games, that's where we are, so let's understand it, recognise it and deal with it. We need to get points."
Strategy: Wolves simply have to respond to McCarthy's warning and realise that winning this game is essential. A minimum of four points must be taken from their next two games or they run the risk of being cast adrift by January.
Kevin Doyle should return after being rested last weekend following his World Cup heartbreak with the Republic of Ireland and he really needs to start repaying a slice of his £6.5m transfer fee with goals. Wolves' defence must erase the memories of heavy defeats to Arsenal and Chelsea and deal with a physical Birmingham forward line.
Injury Update: Wolves defender Ronald Zubar will be sidelined with suspected knee ligament damage so Kevin Foley is expected to start only his third Premier League match. Chris Iwelumo is still struggling with a foot injury. Stephen Ward could return to the squad after cartilage surgery.
BIRMINGHAM CITY:
Alex McLeish, the Birmingham manager, readily admits that he misjudged the importance of local derbies when he moved to the Midlands two years ago.
It is not something that he intends to repeat as he celebrates his second anniversary in charge at St Andrew's against a Wolves side desperate for points far more than local bragging rights.
He also believes that the lowly position of his near neighbours is creating a false impression of the situation at Molineux for McCarthy and his players.
"It is still very early in the season and things have time to settle down in the second half of the season. You only have to look what Fulham did last season," said McLeish.
"I am fully aware of how important local games are for our fans now and we will be as well prepared as we can be. We know that Wolves will come at us like a runaway train and we have to be ready for that."
McLeish will take plenty of solace from last weekend's defeat of Fulham in a game that proved his team have the necessary ability to win ugly.
If character decides the outcome of fixtures such as this, then McLeish has no doubts that his players have mental strength in abundance.
"I look at the characters in the dressing room and think wow. I know how much they are pulling together for each other and that is a real source of comfort to me," he added.
Strategy: Self-belief and mental toughness will be of huge importance and confidence is high among Birmingham players right now after an encouraging run. The midfield area is likely to decide the outcome here and Birmingham look to have the edge. They have experience and know-how to win that key battle ground. Lee Bowyer is back to his very best and Barry Ferguson knows all about local rivalries after his long association with Glasgow Rangers. McLeish's only real worry is the continued lack of goals. Cameron Jerome and Christian Benitez have to start doing better in front of goal as opportunities are likely to be at a premium.
Injury Update: Garry O'Connor has had surgery on a groin and hip injury that will keep him out until the New Year, while right-back Stuart Parnaby is still recovering from a back problem. David Murphy has suffered a set back in his return from a broken kneecap, but Martin Taylor (ankle) and Teemu Tainio (knee) are expected back in the next couple of weeks.
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