Preview: Birmingham City vs. Bristol City - prediction, team news, lineups

Birmingham City play host to Bristol City on Saturday afternoon looking to move clear of the Championship relegation zone.

Meanwhile, the visitors head into the fixture at St Andrew's having lost their last two matches, results which have left the Robins 13 points adrift of the playoffs.

Match preview

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With direct rivals Rotherham United having matches postponed due to positive coronavirus tests, it has heaped extra pressure on Birmingham to try to get some much-needed wins on the board.

While seven points have been collected from five matches, it has only left Blues with a three-point advantage over the Millers, who already possess three matches in hand.

Aitor Karanka could be left with plenty of stick-or-twist scenarios over the coming matches, unsure whether his side would be best settling for a point or going all out for victory.

Nevertheless, having recorded just three home wins from 17 fixtures this season, it cannot be used an as excuse if they drop into the bottom three.

On the plus side, the most recent of those triumphs came against Queens Park Rangers at the end of last month, a result which may encourage Karanka to go on the offensive at the weekend.

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From Bristol City's perspective, recently-appointed boss Nigel Pearson has been left with the task of trying to lift his players after successive defeats.

Despite an initial upturn in results after his arrival at Ashton Gate, setbacks against Bournemouth and QPR mean that the Robins now sit 13 points adrift of the playoffs.

Realistically, they have been left with far too much to do over their remaining 11 matches, but Pearson will want to lay the foundations ahead of an improved 2021-22 campaign.

Bristol City have prevailed in their last two encounters on the road with 3-1 wins being registered at Middlesbrough and Swansea City respectively.

Team News

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Karanka must decide whether to stick with the 3-5-2 formation which was used during the narrow defeat at in-form Barnsley.

Sam Cosgrove is in contention to make his first Blues start in place of Scott Hogan or Lukas Jutkiewicz, while Alen Halilovic, Ivan Sanchez and Jeremie Bela are all options in creative roles.

Pearson may opt against taking any risks with Zak Vyner and Adam Nagy, who both suffered head injuries in the defeat to QPR.

Having performed well on his first-team debut, youngster Sam Pearson could join Henri Lansbury in deputising in midfield.

Birmingham City possible starting lineup:

Etheridge; Dean, Roberts, Friend; Valery, Gardner, Sunjic, Pedersen; Halilovic; Hogan, Jutkiewicz

Bristol City possible starting lineup:

Bentley; Hunt, Mariappa, Kalas, Sessegnon; Lansbury, Bakinson, Pearson; Palmer, Diedhiou, Wells

We say: Birmingham City 1-1 Bristol City

There is an argument that a draw would not suit either club, especially Bristol City who will only challenge for the top six with a lengthy winning streak. That said, we feel that Saturday's game will end in a low-scoring draw, the visitors potentially finding their equaliser during the latter stages.