Hammers have only visited St Andrews twice since 1993, and the last
visit, two seasons ago, was definitely one to forget, despite goals
from Les Ferdinand and Paolo Di Canio.
It was in fact the final outing in Claret and Blue for the enigmatic Italian, as the Club dropped out of the top-flight in May 2003.
Neither side has a particularly good record at each other's ground, West Ham have won just 10 at St Andrews, but are in fact undefeated over the last 20 years - all be it for only four matches.
In 1999 Premiership highflyers West Ham met Division One's Birmingham away in the League Cup. Although falling behind twice, Hammers went through in dramatic fashion with two strikes in the final five minutes.
Steve Lomas pulled Harry Redknapp's side level with a 30-yard drive in the first half, but the Blues looked to be going through. Then Paul Kitson fired home, and Joe Cole scored his first senior goal moments later.
Hammers previous two visits in 1993 and 1989, had both been won 2-1. Kenny Brown and Ian Bishop scored in 1993 to aid West Ham's promotion cause, and four years earlier Martin Allen and Stuart Slater put the Hammers ahead in the League Cup second round first leg.
West Ham went all the way to the semi-finals that year, but were beaten 6-0 away to Oldham, but won 3-0 at home.
The last defeat away to Birmingham was the first day of the fabulous 1985/86 season. Hammers went down 1-0, but went on to reach third position. Three more points still wouldn't have won us the league though.
The first meeting of the teams was away in 1919, and Hammers won 1-0 courtesy of George Kay. The biggest victory came in 1975, with West Ham bagging five. Trevor Brooking, Frank Lampard, two from Alan Taylor and an own goal, helped them to a 5-1 scoreline.
In 1927 wingers Tommy Yews and Jimmy Ruffell, who usually made the goals, scored one a piece in a 2-1 win, and a year before Hammers did the double over the Blues.
Ruffell again and Vic Watson scored at St Andrews on December 27th in a 2-1 victory. Two days earlier - on Christmas day - Hammers had won 1-0.