Preview: Leeds United vs. Birmingham City

Two Championship sides prone to erratic form meet at Elland Road in the third round of the FA Cup this Saturday.

Leeds United ended a run of back-to-back losses with a 1-0 victory over Bolton Wanderers last weekend, but inconsistency has been their problem all season.

It is a similar story for their opponents Birmingham City, who lie nine points behind Leeds in the table and are hoping to end a run of two losses on the bounce.

Leeds boss Neil Warnock has loan defender Alan Tate at his disposal after parent club Swansea City granted him permission to play. Midfielder Rodolph Austin is also expected to start after making his return to the side against Bolton.

Birmingham are without on-loan winger Rob Hall who was not granted clearance by West Ham United. Jake Jervis is cup-tied having played for Tranmere Rovers earlier in the competition.

However, Reece Hales, Marcel Henry-Francis and French youngster Eddy Gnahore could all feature in some capacity for the Blues.

Recent form:

Leeds: WLWLLW

Birmingham: LDDWLL

Possible lineups

Leeds: Kenny, Peltier, Pearce, Green, Austin, Becchio, Tate, Norris, Diouf, Byram, McCormack

Birmingham: Butland; Caldwell, Davies, Spector, Hancox; Robinson, Burke, Packwood, Mullins, Reilly; Gnahore

Sports Mole says: 1-0