The clash against the Blues is the third Bolton match in a row to be chosen for a live screening and will have an unusual kick off time of 5:15pm meaning that the rest of the days Premiership results will have already been decided.
Birmingham are a bit of a bogey team as far as Bolton are concerned with the Blues just one of four teams to do the double over the Whites last season. Their 1-0 win at the Reebok Stadium back in October 2003 ended a remarkable unbeaten home record for the Trotters which had stretched over eight months.
Two seasons ago Bolton did manage a win against their Midlands opponents in a 4-2 success but this has been their only victory against the Blues since the 1998-1999 season with the rest either ending in defeat or a draw.
Both teams are expected to make wholesale changes following their Carling Cup exploits during the week. Bolton managed to overcome the threat of Yeovil Town by winning 2-0 at Huish Park whilst Birmingham ran out comfortable winners against Lincoln City at St Andrews.
Bolton manager Sam Allardyce will assemble a similar line up to the one which drew with Champions Arsenal a week ago, with the usual suspects such as Jay-Jay Okocha returning to first team duty. Top goalscorer Henrik Pedersen has been a goalscoring substitute for the last couple of games so a recall could be on the cards. Spanish legend Fernando Hierro may also warrant a starting place following his impressive showing against Yeovil.
Blues manager Steve Bruce is without the services of last season's top goalscorer Mikael Forssell after he was ruled out for a lengthy period with knee trouble. Martin Grainger (knee) and David Dunn (hamstring) are definately out whilst Stan Lazaridis (thigh) is doubtful. Jamie Clapham could return following a midweek run out in the Carling Cup with Damien Johnson coming back from suspension.
The Wanderers are on a rich vein of form which has seen them lose just once in the opening six weeks of the season and they will be hoping to continue that tommorow. Birmingham in contrast have won just the once in the Premiership, this coming in a match against Manchester City so will be hopeful of better luck against Bolton.
LAST SEASON
06/03/2004 BIRMINGHAM CITY 2 BOLTON WANDERERS 0 (PREMIERSHIP)
25/10/2003 BOLTON WANDERERS 0 BIRMINGHAM CITY 1 (PREMIERSHIP)
PLAYED FOR BOTH
Simon Charlton
Tony Evans
Paul Fitzpatrick
Bob Hatton
David Holdsworth
Allan Johnston
Andy Kennedy
Jim McDonagh
Trevor Morgan
Jamie Pollock
Kevin Poole
Isaiah Rankin
John Sheridan
Bryan Small
Stuart Storer
Gordon Taylor
Neil Whatmore
Frank Worthington