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

Birmingham City make the trip to Rotherham United on Saturday afternoon looking to make it five successive victories in League One.

At a time when the big-spenders of the divisions sit in second place in the standings, Rotherham are down in 17th spot with just one win to their name.

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Match preview

While Birmingham have not always shown their true potential during the early weeks of the season, they have managed to keep posting important wins.

All three came by one-goal margins, Chris Davies' side successfully negotiating some tricky moments to remain unbeaten and on the coattails of their rivals.

On Monday night, though, Blues delivered by far their best performance of the season, rising to the occasion to record a 3-1 victory over fellow American-owned Wrexham at St Andrew's.

The win was made all the more impressive by falling behind during the early stages before being roused by a packed home support in the second half.

Although Davies will be frustrated that Birmingham are yet to keep a clean sheet in the third tier this season, the goals are beginning to flow in the league, with Jay Stansfield netting his first two since a big-money move from Fulham versus the Welsh giants.

Rotherham had been expected to challenge Birmingham at the top end of the table with both clubs having been relegated from the Championship last season.

Instead, the Millers lost two of their opening three games and have only collected six points from as many fixtures in the division.

Steve Evans will take the positives from a three-match unbeaten streak having been put together, but they have given up leads against Charlton Athletic and Burton Albion.

With just seven goals being conceded, one more than Birmingham, Rotherham are doing some things right, but Evans will recognise that they need a morale-boosting result such as one that would be delivered by avoiding defeat at the New York Stadium.

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Team News

Barring any injury issues, Evans may be prepared to stick with the Rotherham XI that earned a draw with Burton.

Although Alexander MacDonald, Joseph Hungbo and Jordan Hugill are all pushing for opportunities, the trio are more likely to stay on the substitutes' bench.

Birmingham will be forced into at least one change with Krystian Bielik serving a one-match ban for his dismissal against Wrexham.

Ben Davies is in line to replace the Poland international in the middle of the defence in what could prove to be the only alteration.

Scotland international Lyndon Dykes is expected to remain among the replacements.

Rotherham United possible starting lineup: Phillips; Rafferty, Humphreys, McCart, James; Odoffin, Tiehi, Powell; Wilks; Nombe, Clarke-Harris

Birmingham City possible starting lineup: Peacock-Farrell; Gardner-Hickman, Klarer, Davies, Cochrane; Iwata, Paik; Willumsson, May, Hansson; Stansfield

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We say: Rotherham United 1-2 Birmingham City

Having already defeated Huddersfield this season, Rotherham cannot be written off here. However, Blues are now building up a head of steam and we are backing them to battle their way to another success, even if it is through the odd goal in three.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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