West Ham United and Birmingham City will clash in the first leg of their Carling Cup semi-final on Tuesday night.
Reaching the final of this competition will present fans of either club with a chance to celebrate winning their first trophy in a long time. West Ham’s last trophy was the 1980 FA Cup, while Birmingham fans have endured an even longer drought. The blues last trophy listed was when they won this competition in 1963.

West Ham manager Avram Grant is enduring tough times, as the club are currently sitting at the bottom of the Premier League table. A trip to Wembley for the Carling Cup Final will lift some of the pressure, and likely boost morale in the dressing room. Grant has reason to believe he can achieve it as he led relegated Portsmouth to the FA Cup Final against all odds last season.

Grant rested a number of players during the weekend’s FA Cup triumph over Barnsley and could bring some players back for this game. Scott Parker, Matthew Upson, Carlton Cole and Frederic Piquionne are among those in line for a recall.

Alex McLeish is doing a fine job at Birmingham City, and a Carling Cup triumph could be a signature moment for his career at the club. Like Grant, McLeish rested a number of first teamers for the clubs FA Cup victory on Saturday. Matt Derbyshire will be hoping to keep his place after scoring twice in the win over Millwall.