The Midlands club lie in fourth place in the Premiership the best defensive record in the Premiership and Allardyce was quick to praise the work done by good friend Steve Bruce during his time as the Blues manager.
"There probably couldn't be a more difficult game than Birmingham. They've got the best defensive record in the Premiership at the minute. It just shows what clean sheets do for you. They haven't created as many chances as ourselves or scored as many goals as we have but have got seven clean sheets out of nine and fourth spot in the Premiership...That's what good solid defensive organisation brings you" Allardyce pointed out