Match Preview
Two of the last three winners of the League Cup come head to head in the third round of the competition tonight. Hosts Birmingham memorably prevailed over Arsenal in 2011 while visitors Swansea lifted the trophy in February this year. Birmingham's victory in this competition two years ago was swiftly followed by relegation, however, and they were ironically replaced by the Swans in the topflight. Since then, Swansea have come on leaps and bounds, winning their first major trophy and even venturing into Europe, where they dismantled Valencia earlier this month. And after winning at the Mestalla, a visit to the Midlands should seem like a comparative stroll in the park to Michael Laudrup's side. Birmingham have not won on any of the last three occasions that they have hosted Swansea, while Laudrup's side are unbeaten so far in September. However, Swansea have won just one of their last seven games against the Blues, and could be brought back down to earth with a thud following their recent Europa League exploits in Spain.