Following their fine 3-1 win over Blackpool on Wednesday, West Ham kept up their impressive record against teams in the lower half of the table and will be hoping for another positive display against Birmingham City.
The Hammers have only lost one game in 13 against sides around them this season and will know that a win on Sunday can lift them out of the relegation zone.
Furthermore, Grant will be buoyed by the fact that the East London club have only lost once in nine home encounters against The Blues - a 2-1 defeat in October 2002; but the Hammers are yet to manage back-to-back wins in the league this campaign.
Blues Sliding Down
Alex McLeish’s side also find themselves locked in a battle at the foot of the table to avoid relegation after only picking up a single victory in their last nine league matches and failing to keep a clean sheet.
However, a hard fought 2-2 draw with Manchester City will have boosted Blues' confidence as they travel to London to face the Hammers, in what is a crucial game for both sides.
Birmingham though will find the going tough at Upton Park, having picked up the fewest wins in the league this season along with Wigan Athletic (four) and having only beaten the Hammers once in eight league meetings – a 1-0 victory at St Andrew's in December 2009.
TEAM NEWS
West Ham United
Manager Avram Grant is likely to keep faith with the same side that beat Blackpool in midweek so Robbie Keane is expected to make his home debut for the Hammers.
There could also be a home debut for midfielder Gary O’Neil but there are doubts over Welsh defender Daniel Gabbidon, who picked up a knock at Bloomfield Road, and Manuel Da Costa, who is still suffering from an ankle injury.
The Hammers though continue to be without Jack Collinson, Peter Kurucz (both knee), Kieron Dyer and Thomas Hitzlsperger (thigh), as well as Junior Stanislas who has a hernia.
Possible starting XI: Green; Jacobsen, Tomkins, Reid, Bridge; Parker, Noble, O'Neil; Piquionne, Keane, Obinna
Birmingham City
On-loan Nigerian striker Obafemi Martins could go straight into boss Alex McLeish’s squad if his visa comes through in time for the trip to Upton Park.
However, following their draw with Manchester City, the Blues have concerns over the fitness of striker Cameron Jerome, midfielder Barry Ferguson and defender Roger Johnson, so new signing Curtis Davies could deputise in defence.
Scott Dann (hamstring), James McFadden (knee) and Enric Valles (foot) are still on the treatment table at St Andrew's.
Possible starting XI: Foster; Carr, Jiranek, Johnson, Ridgewell; Bentley, Gardner, Bowyer, Ferguson; Zigic, Jerome
Prediction
This game is sure to be a tight affair with both teams fighting for survival at the bottom of the table. However, with their recent good form in all competitions and their quality up-front with the addition of Robbie Keane, I see the Hammers just pipping Birmingham City to the three points and lifting themselves further towards safety.
West Ham 1-0 Birmingham 
