Birmingham City play host to Bristol City on Tuesday evening looking to extend their unbeaten record in the Championship to four matches.
The Robins will make the trip to St Andrew's sitting level on points with their hosts after finally ending their Ashton Gate hoodoo at the weekend.
Match preview
© Reuters
Less than a couple of weeks ago, more and more Birmingham supporters were becoming increasing convinced that they were destined for another battle at the wrong end of the Championship.
After collecting seven points from three games, they now have a different perspective. Lee Bowyer has had to wait a while for justification when it comes to using three players at the back, but the Blues boss will feel vindicated after the win at Middlesbrough.
The success at the Riverside Stadium, which came with another clean sheet, followed four points coming from fixtures against Huddersfield Town and Swansea City.
Most notably for Bowyer, his side have ended an abysmal run of form in front of goal by showing a clinical touch against improving sides with four different players getting on the scoresheet.
On a negative note, you have to go all the way back to September 10 for the last time that Birmingham netted a goal during the opening 45 minutes.
© Reuters
There will be a sense of relief among the home team's fanbase on Tuesday evening, and it will be a similar feeling in the away end.
The Robins finally ended a 17-match winless streak at Ashton Gate at the weekend, posting a comeback 2-1 triumph over potential relegation rivals Barnsley in the process.
While Nigel Pearson's side had to ride their luck at times during a nervy second half, they will argue that they deserve some good fortune given the manner of some of their setbacks this season.
Back to within five points of the playoffs and still possessing the fifth-best away record in the division, Pearson will hope that Saturday's success can be the catalyst for greater things to come.
- L
- L
- L
- D
- W
- W
- L
- W
- L
- L
- L
- W
Team News
© Reuters
Kristian Pedersen is a major fitness doubt for Birmingham after suffering an issue with his hamstring at Middlesbrough.
Jeremie Bela is on standby to deputise for the left wing-back, while Tahith Chong will be assessed after missing the trip to the North-East with a groin problem.
The remainder of the side should stay the same, providing that Bowyer does not want to introduce any fresh legs to account for the quick turnaround.
Jay Dasilva is expected to return to the Bristol City XI, taking the spot of the injured Cameron Pring.
Barring any other fitness issues, Pearson may be prepared to name the other 10 players which started against Barnsley.
Birmingham City possible starting lineup:
Sarkic; Sanderson, Roberts, Friend; Graham, Sunjic, Gardner, Bela; McGree, Hogan; Deeney
Bristol City possible starting lineup:
Bentley; Tanner, Kalas, Atkinson, Dasilva; Massengo, James, Bakinson; Weimann; Wells, Martin
We say: Birmingham City 1-1 Bristol City
With both clubs on a high after the weekend, we expect a hard-fought contest at St Andrew's. While Blues are the marginal favourites, Bristol City deserve respect for their away return this season, leading us to predict a low-scoring draw.
Top tip
Data Analysis
Our analysis of all available data, including recent performances and player stats up until an hour before kickoff, suggested the most likely outcome of this match was a Birmingham City win with a probability of 39.39%. A win for Bristol City had a probability of 31.95% and a draw had a probability of 28.7%.
The most likely scoreline for a Birmingham City win was 1-0 with a probability of 12.65%. The next most likely scorelines for that outcome were 2-1 (7.96%) and 2-0 (7.59%). The likeliest Bristol City win was 0-1 (11.08%), while for a drawn scoreline it was 1-1 (13.28%). The actual scoreline of 3-0 was predicted with a 3% likelihood. Our data analysis correctly predicted that Birmingham City would win this match.
