Preview: Derby County vs. Birmingham City

Derby County host struggling Birmingham City in the Championship on Saturday knowing that a win could put them close to a spot in the playoff places.

The hosts suffered a slight blip at the end of September but have recovered to win their last two in the league including the 3-2 away win to Watford last time out.

Birmingham have two wins in their last five, but inconsistency has seen them lose more than they have won so far and they currently sit 20th.

Derby have a number of injuries persisting in the squad including Johnny Russell and Zak Whitbread, while Lee Clark could look to name the same lineup.

Recent form

Derby: LLDWW

Birmingham: WLWLL

Possible starting lineups

Derby: Grant; Smith, Keogh, Buxton, Forsyth; Bryson, Eustace, Hughes; Bennett, Martin, Ward

Birmingham: Randolph; Bartley, Burn, Robinson; Caddis, Elliott, Lee, Murphy; Novak, Burke, Lingard

Sports Mole says: 1-0