Preview: Birmingham City vs. Cardiff City

Cardiff City can maintain their five-point lead at the top of the Championship table on New Year's Day when they make the trip to Birmingham City.

The Bluebirds' narrow 1-0 victory over Millwall on Saturday was their fifth win in six matches.

At the other end of the table, Birmingham's recent 3-1 loss at Bolton Wanderers saw them slip to within seven points of the relegation zone.

The home side have experienced an injury crisis ahead of the game with Nikola Zigic, Marlon King, Peter Lovenkrands and Akwasi Asante all sidelined.

Meanwhile, Rudy Gestede could retain his place in attack for Cardiff after his winner against Millwall.

Recent form:

Birmingham: WLDDWL

Cardiff: WWLWWW

Possible lineups:

Birmingham: Butland; Caldwell, Davies, Spector, Hancox; Robinson, Burke, Mullins, Reilly; Hall, Jervis

Cardiff: Marshall; McNaughton, Taylor, Hudson, Turner; Whittingham, Conway, Cowie, Gunnarsson; Gestede, Bellamy

Sports Mole says: 0-2