Birmingham City play host to Coventry City on Saturday afternoon looking to extend their winning streak in the Championship to three matches.
While Blues head into the Midlands derby sitting in 14th position, Coventry remain bottom of the standings and seven points adrift of safety.
Match preview
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When Birmingham collected just five points from their opening seven fixtures, their supporters were naturally expecting worse with games at Preston North End and West Bromwich Albion to follow.
However, Blues pulled off shock wins at each of Deepdale and The Hawthorns, the former arguably being the most surprising with the West Midlands outfit becoming the first club to score against Preston this season.
The victory at West Brom was at the other end of the scale, John Eustace's team scoring almost half of their goals for the season in prevailing by a 3-2 scoreline.
Scott Hogan's hat-trick has moved him to five strikes for the season, already matching half of his total for the 2021-22 campaign.
Although Birmingham are only three points adrift of the playoffs, they are just two points above the relegation zone.
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Coventry make the visit to their former temporary home still feeling the ramifications of their pitch being made unplayable after the Commonwealth Games.
While games are now being played on a more regular basis, Coventry still have three matches in hand and are seven points adrift of 21st place.
On the plus side, the Sky Blues twice came from behind to earn a 2-2 draw at Luton Town in midweek, ending a run of four successive defeats.
Nevertheless, Mark Robins knows that wins are required to kick-start their season and avoid a relegation battle which currently appears to be in the offing.
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Team News
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Birmingham could be without each of Marc Roberts and Krystian Bielik after they sustained hamstring and head injuries against West Brom.
Given their lengthy injury list, Maxime Colin may feature in the back three with Jonathan Leko coming into the team at wing-back.
Manchester United loanee Hannibal Mejbri or Jordan James stand to replace Bielik in the centre of the pitch.
Michael Rose will miss out for Coventry after he sustained a groin injury during the first half at Luton.
Jonathan Panzo is in line to come into the team in what may be the only change to the starting lineup.
Birmingham City possible starting lineup:
Ruddy; Colin, Sanderson, Trusty; Leko, Mejbri, Chong, Williams; Bacuna; Deeney, Hogan
Coventry City possible starting lineup:
Wilson; Doyle, McFadzean, Panzo; Dabo, Allen, Hamer, Sheaf, Bidwell; Gyokeres, Godden
We say: Birmingham City 2-1 Coventry City
Having earned a credible point at Luton in midweek, Robins will be optimistic about success in this contest. However, Birmingham are very much on a high right now, and we expect Eustace's team to battle their way to a hard-fought victory.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
