• The Cottagers, who've scored a goal a game at home and shipped 16 in the nine Premiership encounters, are without a win in four at home, in all competitions. They've picked up one point from a last possible nine from a 1-1 draw with Manchester United, which followed a 1-4 loss to Chelsea and 0-2 defeat by Blackburn. Chris Coleman will be hopeful that Fulham can increase their points return over the holiday period. Crystal Palace visit the Thames-side club on New Years Day and then Coleman takes the side to Southampton.
  
• The Londoners last managed a home League win over Birmingham 36 years ago. That was 2-0 in the original Second Division on Boxing Day 1968. Their last home top flight victory over the Brummies was 40 years ago - a 3-1 triumph on 2 September 1964. Lost the last two Premiership matches, conceding two goals in both.
  
• Luis BOA MORTE is a double shy of 50 goals for English clubs (four for Arsenal, one for Southampton and 43 for Fulham).
  
• If involved from the kick off, Moritz VOLZ will be making his 50th League start for the Thames-side club.
  

• This is the only one of Blues' four holiday fixtures against a club from the south. The other three are all against northern opposition. Middlesbrough at St Andrews precedes this match and a trip to Newcastle follows it, with a home engagement against Bolton to conclude the schedule.
  
• A point a piece from a goalless draw in last season's corresponding fixture was a fair result of a match best forgotten. Indeed it was one of three no score draws Birmingham registered in London last season. The others were at Chelsea and Arsenal. Both top flight contests with Fulham finished all square in the last campaign, but Blues have won six of their last nine League visits to Fulham.
  
• Bidding for a fourth successive League victory.
  Never won four on the spin in the Premiership.
  Kept clean sheets in the last two games (scoring six goals).
  
• If he lines-up, Maik TAYLOR will be the last line of defence against his former club.
  
• If involved, Stephen CLEMENCE will be making his 150th career League appearance.
  
• If on the field at kick off, Clint MORRISON will be making his 50th Premiership start for Birmingham.
  
• Should he play, Matthew UPSON will be making his 150th career club appearance.

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