Hull City will play host to Birmingham City in a battle between two of the early candidates for promotion at the KC Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Currently sitting only behind leaders Brighton & Hove Albion, Birmingham are two points and two places better off than Hull after 12 Championship games.
Hull City
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Steve Bruce will surely be optimistic about what this squad can achieve in the Championship after battling to fourth spot without really showing their best form on a consistent basis so far this season.
Since returning to the second tier after relegation from the Premier League, Hull have had their critics, but their position is certainly proof that there is enough quality in the current side for them to make an immediate return to the top flight of English football.
The defeat to leaders Brighton in the second week of September was the last time the Tigers lost a game, and they head into a difficult challenge on the back of seven matches unbeaten in all competitions.
Most recently, Bruce's side were dominant in a 3-0 triumph over Ipswich Town on Tuesday, and with league matches against MK Dons and Brentford to come after Saturday's test, Hull fans will be hopeful that a promising run can continue for the next few weeks.
Currently boasting the joint best defence in the league alongside Reading and Middlesbrough, Hull's strength is in the shield put up by experienced duo Curtis Davies and Michael Dawson, but with the former currently out of action, the challenge is for the Tigers to retain that defensive resilience.
It is never wise to make Championship predictions at this stage, but with Hull steadily showings signs that they are finding their best, a big win over a side currently placed second would be a real statement of intent.
Recent form: WDDWDW
Recent form (all competitions): DWDWDW
Birmingham City
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In the 2008-09 campaign, Birmingham won eight of their opening 12 games to sit top of the Championship, and Gary Rowett's side prepare for this weekend's test knowing that they have made the best start to a season since that year.
Relegation from the Premier League has forced changes since then, but Birmingham are quietly going about their business to suggest that one of the most highly-rated young managers in the game may have a squad that is capable of continuing to surprise their rivals.
After immediately improving the club's fortunes when he arrived almost a year ago, the optimism levels in Birmingham have risen quickly, but even the most loyal of supporters may not have expected to be sitting second in the table at this stage.
A promotion challenge was not really spoken about in the build-up to the new campaign, but with four successive wins in the bank, the morale of the squad could not be higher as they bid to take down a side tipped by many as title contenders.
The signs suggest that it could be a battle of defences, with Birmingham conceding just twice in their last seven league matches, and they showed their resilience when Paul Robinson earned them a 1-0 victory over bottom club Bolton Wanderers on Tuesday night.
Rowett will be aware that Birmingham must play better than they did in that win, but this side have proved many of their doubters wrong already and another win may persuade a few more people to pick them as dark horses to stay close to the top of the table.
Recent form: DLWWWW
Recent form (all competitions): LLWWWW
Team News
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Bruce's possible eagerness to keep faith with the players who led them to a comfortable win over Ipswich in midweek could persuade him to leave Shaun Maloney, Tom Huddlestone and Mohamed Diame on the bench once again.
Alex Bruce will star in place of the injured Davies in the centre of defence, while Jake Livermore should continue his partnership with David Meyler in midfield.
Birmingham boss Rowett is unlikely to be considering major changes as his side aim for a fifth successive win, with Andrew Shinnie expected to keep his spot in the side after starting for just the second time this season in midweek.
Jacques Maghoma and Demarai Gray are both expected to be given the responsibility of continuing to provide support for Clayton Donaldson, who is aiming to end a run of three games without a goal.
Hull possible starting lineup:
McGregor; Odubajo, Dawson, Davies, Robertson, Meyler, Livermore, Elmohamady, Clucas, Akpom, Hernandez
Birmingham possible starting lineup:
Kuszczak; Caddis, Morrison, Robinson, Grounds, Gleeson, Kieftenbeld, Shinnie, Maghoma, Gray, Donaldson
Head To Head
It has been over two years since the two sides last met in a competitive fixture, and Hull fans will have fond memories of Gedo and George Boyd scoring two goals each in an emphatic 5-2 triumph over the Blues.
Hull are unbeaten in the last five games against Birmingham, whose last win against Saturday's opposition came when Gary O'Connor netted the winner in a 1-0 victory in the Premier League in September 2009.
We say: Hull 2-0 Birmingham
Birmingham deserve plenty of credit for the wins they have recorded in recent weeks and there is certainly enough evidence to suggest that there will not be a dramatic slide down the table in the future. However, Hull are slowly growing in confidence and must surely be considered favourites to keep the pressure on Brighton with victory in front of their supporters.
Callum Mulvihill
