Leeds United play host to Birmingham City on Saturday afternoon looking to record just their third Championship victory of the season.
Birmingham currently occupy a place in the top six in the standings, while they are one of four clubs yet to suffer defeat on their travels this season.
Leeds United
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After coming through their opening six league games without suffering defeat, there were plenty of positive vibes coming out of Elland Road as they looked to make their presence known among the top half of the Championship table.
However, two defeats in three games have left the Yorkshire giants down in 15th position, as near to the top six as they are to the relegation zone, and Saturday's clash with Birmingham has taken on extra importance for boss Uwe Rosler.
Leeds were far from disgraced in their 3-0 loss to Middlesbrough, with opposition manager Aitor Karanka admitting that the scoreline flattered his side, but Leeds need to start putting points on the board on a consistent basis to ensure that they do not become a mid-table club for the rest of the campaign.
They are also yet to win at home in four attempts since August 8, while that streak extends to nine games when last season is included, with their last victory at Elland Road coming on March 4.
For a club of Leeds's standing and who are backed by a strong following up and down the country, that return is not good enough and Rosler requires maximum points this weekend to leave the club closer to the playoffs before the two-week international break.
Recent form: DWDLWL
Birmingham City
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Over the past two weeks, Birmingham have suffered back-to-back home defeats and bowed out of the League Cup to rivals Aston Villa, but it is far from doom and gloom in the West Midlands.
No win in three games had seen the Blues drop down the Championship table, but they did so in the knowledge that they still held a game in hand away at Brentford, and on Tuesday night, they took full advantage of the uncertainty at Griffin Park by continuing their unbeaten record on the road.
It took until 71 minutes to break the deadlock in London, but goals from Michael Morrison and Clayton Donaldson have moved Birmingham up to fifth place in the standings ahead of a trip to a club who have not won at home for almost seven months.
Gary Rowett will still be disappointed with the 2-0 home reverse to Rotherham United, but their midweek success has given his team the chance to look forward rather than back ahead of the international break.
Rowett has hailed first-choice forward Donaldson as one of the best in the division, but he will be expecting an improved goal return from the 31-year-old, who has scored in just two of Birmingham's nine league fixtures.
Recent form: WWLDLW
Recent form (all competitions): WLDLLW
Team News
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Rosler has revealed that striker Chris Wood will continue to be assessed ahead of a potential return to the team after missing the Middlesbrough defeat through injury.
Winger Will Buckley, who has been signed on loan from Sunderland, is expected to be drafted straight into the starting lineup.
Barring any late fitness issues, Rowett could name the same side that saw off the challenge of Brentford on Tuesday night.
That would see Paul Robinson remain ahead of Jonathan Spector in defence, and Jacques Maghoma taking his place among the substitutes.
Leeds United possible starting lineup:
Silvestri, Berardi, Bellusci, Bamba, Taylor, Adeyemi, Cook, Mowatt, Buckley, Dallas, Antenucci
Birmingham City possible starting lineup:
Kuszczak, Caddis, Morrison, Robinson, Grounds, Gleeson, Kieftenbeld, Cotterill, Davis, Gray, Donaldson
Head To Head
In 71 previous meetings between the two sides, Birmingham hold a slender advantage over Leeds, winning 28 times compared to 24 victories for the Whites.
However, Leeds are unbeaten in the last four matches, with Birmingham prevailing just once in seven attempts.
Both Elland Road and St Andrew's played host to 1-1 draws last season.
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Hit play below to see what the Sports Mole Sofa had to say about this encounter:
We say: Leeds United 1-1 Birmingham City
Birmingham will head into the match with plenty of confidence after their victory in midweek, but Leeds need to get their act together at Elland Road and we are backing them to hold the fifth-place side to a draw this weekend.
Darren Plant
