Birmingham City v Cardiff City. Match preview

Last updated : 06 August 2016 By Michael Morris

C:WindowsTempphp22E3.tmpBirmingham are without Nicolai Brock-Madsen against Cardiff as he is in Brazil for the Olympics with Denmark.

The striker could feature for his country against South Africa on Sunday in Group A, which also includes hosts Brazil.

The 23-year-old is the only player unavailable for boss Gary Rowett ahead of the season opener.

Former loanees Robert Tesche and Ryan Shotton could feature after returning to St Andrew's on permanent deals from Nottingham Forest and Derby respectively. 

Sean Morrison is pushing for a Cardiff start despite missing most of the Bluebirds' pre-season action.

Centre-back Morrison had ankle surgery in May and did not return until last weekend, when he played the opening 45 minutes of the 1-0 defeat to Premier League side Bournemouth.

Summer signings Jazz Richards and Frederic Gounongbe are both in line to make their Cardiff debuts at St Andrews.

Lex Immers is also expected to start after making his loan stay from Feyenoord permanent, but Kagisho Dikgacoi, Adam Le Fondre and Federico Macheda will not feature after being told by new boss Paul Trollope that they are free to leave the club.

Referee: Tim Robinson.
Assistants: Mark Jones and Ian Cooper.
4th Official: Andrew Madley

Match facts

  • Birmingham City have not won at home in six matches, since beating promoted Hull City on 3 March - and, in the last five of those, they conceded two goals each time.
  • Cardiff City lost their last three away games in the 2015-16 season - and have not lost four successive Championship away games since January 2011.
  • Blues' 2-1 win at home to Reading a year ago was their first opening-day victory in seven seasons.
  • The Bluebirds have won just once in 15 league visits to St Andrew's - a 1-0 victory in January 2013.
  • There have been just seven goals scored in the last six meetings between these two sides at St Andrew's.