[Swooperman]

Steve Bruce hasnt got a record of fielding weak cup sides & I dont expect him to start here. Blues will still have injuries & that could cost them, but Stoke are desperate & are producing relegation form without a win in 10 in the league & before last nights 0-0 draw at home to Plymouth had lost the previous 4. Lets not forget they needed a penalty shoot out to dispose of lowly Tamworth, before sneaking past Walsall 2-1. Theres open problems at Stoke with the manager having fallen out with John Rudge.

Birmingham are ripe for an upset, & if it was a half decent side in the Championship I'd think about it but Stoke are desperate & as bad as Birmingham are they are way too good for Stoke...who most certainly are likely to be pushovers.