Manchester City are hoping to end a disappointing October with victory over Birmingham City at St Andrews in Sunday afternoon's crunch encounter.

City’s 2-2 draw at home to Fulham last week exposed some of the flaws which have seen them slip to sixth in the table after a brilliant start to the new campaign.

Despite boasting an enviable attacking threat with the likes of Carlos Tevez, Craig Bellamy and Emmanuel Adebayor, Mark Hughes' men have taken just six points from a possible 15 in their last five Premier League games, causing many pundits to question whether or not the Citizens can maintain a serious title challenge.

However, with Tottenham and Liverpool both losing, City know that a win would take move them back into the top four with the January transfer window only two months away now.

That new year salvation is something that Birmingham City coach Alex McLeish will be eagerly anticipating after the Blues were purchased by Chinese billionaire Carson Yeung.

The new owner has promised the Scot £40million to spend and McLeish will point to his sides credible run of results as proof of the potential of the Midlands side.

Victory on Sunday will lift the Blues up to the relative safety of mid-table.

Team News:

Birmingham are set to call on back-up goalkeeper Maik Taylor between the sticks as loanee goalkeeper Joe Hart is ineligible to play against his parent club.

Coach Alex McLeish will be delighted to welcome back a host of players after a well-documented injury list. Defenders Gregory Vignal (hamstring), Martin Taylor (foot) and David Murphy (knee) could all return.

Manchester City are set to recall defender Kolo Toure and winger Martin Petrov after the pair missed the 5-1 Carling Cup rout of Scunthorpe in midweek.

In fact, only defender Nedum Onuoha (thigh) and Robinho (ankle) are absentees.

Probable Starting XIs, Star Man:

Birmingham (4-2-3-1): Taylor, Carr, R. Johnson, Dann, Ridgewell, Bowyer, Larsson, Ferguson, McFadden, Jerome, Benitez.

Man City (4-3-3): Given, Zabaleta, Toure, Lescott, Bridge, Ireland, Wright-Phillips, Barry, Bellamy, Tevez, Adebayor.

ExtraFootie's Prediction: Birmingham 1-2 Manchester City. Although the Blues have an impressive defensive record, City’s forward line will provide a much sterner test than they have encountered previously. With Spurs and Liverpool both losing the incentive is there for Hughes' men and they may well seize it.