Birmingham City will aim to extend their lead at the top of the League One table when they host playoff-hopefuls Leyton Orient at St Andrew's on Tuesday night.
The hosts sit six points clear at the top of the standings, with games in hand on those below them, while the visitors are just inside the top six, sitting in sixth place.
Match preview
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Birmingham City suffered a devastating relegation from the Championship in 2023-24, finishing just a point behind Plymouth Argyle, bringing an end to their 29-year stay in the top two divisions.
The Blues made a significant splash in the summer transfer window as they targeted an instant return to the Championship, breaking the League One transfer record three times, including the big-money signing of Jay Stansfield for a reported £15m - over £10m more than the previous record.
Chris Davies, in the first managerial job of his career after joining in June 2024, is certainly making good on that objective thus far, with his side sitting top of the League One standings after 30 games played.
The Blues have accumulated 70 points from 21 wins, seven draws and only two losses, leaving them six points clear of second-placed Wycombe Wanderers, while Birmingham City also boast at least one game in hand on those below them.
A victory on Tuesday could extend their lead to a significant nine points, while victories in their remaining games in hand would further extend their control of the league.
However, Leyton Orient are unlikely to be a pushover for the hosts, with the O's currently placed sixth in the standings and in the hunt for a playoff spot come the end of the season.
The visitors are enjoying a superb second season back in League One, after earning promotion from League Two in 2022-23, having finished 11th last year and climbing to sixth this time round.
Richie Wellens's side did see their three match winning run in the league come to an end in their last outing, losing 2-1 to Bolton Wanderers, and the O's will be hoping to bounce back here.
Leyton Orient have already been on the losing side of this fixture this campaign, losing 2-1 to Birmingham City in the reverse fixture in August at the start of the season.
Team News
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Birmingham City suffered several injuries in their recent 0-0 draw with Reading, losing Lyndon Dykes, Scott Wright and Keshi Anderson due to injury issues, leaving all three as doubts here.
Stansfield is also unlikely to feature for the hosts due to a leg injury he sustained in the victory against Bradford City in the EFL Trophy, meaning Alfie May is likely to lead the line.
As for Leyton Orient, Charlie Kelman is their top scorer with 11 goals in 32 league appearances this term, including goals in all of his last three outings, and he is expected to start in attack here.
Brandon Cooper may miss out for the visitors after coming off in the 57th minute of their defeat to Bolton due to injury, meaning Jayden Sweeney may partner Rarmani Edmonds-Green in defence.
Birmingham City possible starting lineup:
Allsop; Laird, Klarer, Davies, Cochrane; Iwata, Paik; Willumsson, Dowell, Hansson; May
Leyton Orient possible starting lineup:
Keeley; Galbraith, Edmonds-Green, Sweeney, Currie; Brown, Ball; Williams, Donley, Abdulai; Kelman
We say: Birmingham City 3-1 Leyton Orient
Birmingham are certainly the stronger side heading into this game, and given unbeaten record at home in the league this term, we believe the hosts will win here.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Ellis Stevens
