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Preview: FA Cup - Birmingham vs. Chelsea

Preview: FA Cup - Birmingham vs. Chelsea
© PA Photos
Chelsea's first match since the sacking of manager Andre Villas-Boas is the FA Cup replay against Birmingham City.

Chelsea's temporary manager Roberto Di Matteo will experience his first test at the helm of the former Premier League champions following the sacking of Andre Villas-Boas.

The Blues travel to St Andrew's tomorrow for an FA Cup fifth-round replay against Birmingham City following their 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge last month.

With John Terry still sidelined through injury, David Luiz and Gary Cahill could line up in the centre of defence with John Obi Mikel and Raul Meireles holding the midfield.

Didier Drogba could be rested for this fixture, which paves the way for Fernando Torres and Daniel Sturridge to partner up front.

Meanwhile, Chris Hughton could rest Marlon King for the home fixture and start Nikola Zigic, who started on the bench for the Championship side in their 2-2 draw with Derby on Saturday.

Current form:

Birmingham: WDDWLD
Chelsea: DLDLWL

Possible lineups:

Birmingham: Myhill; Caldwell, Ramage, Spector, Davies; Burke, N'Daw, Huseklepp, Townsend; Mutch, Zigic

Chelsea: Cech; Ivanovic, Luiz, Cahill, Bertrand; Ramires, Mikel, Meireles, Mata; Torres, Sturridge

Sports Mole says: 2-1

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Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Germany Germany32107
Q Switzerland Switzerland31205
3 Hungary Hungary31023
4 Scotland flag Scotland30121

Group B

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Q Spain Spain33009
Q Italy Italy31114
3 Croatia Croatia30212
4 Albania national flag Albania30121

Group C

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Q England flag England31205
Q Denmark Denmark30303
Q Slovenia Slovenia30303
4 Serbia Serbia30212

Group D

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Austria Austria32016
Q France France31205
Q Netherlands Netherlands31114
4 Poland Poland30121

Group E

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Q Romania Romania31114
Q Belgium Belgium31114
Q Slovakia Slovakia31114
4 Ukraine Ukraine31114

Group F

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Portugal Portugal32016
Q Turkey Turkey32016
Q Georgia Georgia31114
4 Czech Republic Czech Republic30121


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