Birmingham City play host to Swansea City on Tuesday evening looking to move into the top 10 in the Championship standings.
Opponents Swansea sit just two points above them in ninth spot, despite the visitors to St Andrew's having failed to win in three games.
Match preview
© Reuters
Given the uncertainty off the pitch, Birmingham were supposed to be a strong candidate for relegation once again, especially with what felt like the rushed appointment of John Eustace.
Nevertheless, since September, Blues are the fourth-best performing side, collecting 22 points from 12 matches and conceding a league-best eight goals.
While it should be noted that Tuesday's opponents Swansea are third over the same period, Birmingham have performed with more resoluteness and togetherness, their only two setbacks coming away at Middlesbrough and Blackburn Rovers by one-goal margins.
On Saturday, Birmingham made the short trip to Stoke City and returned from the Potteries with a 2-1 victory, Scott Hogan on the scoresheet for the eighth time this campaign.
Seven points have now come from meetings with Queens Park Rangers, Millwall and Stoke, leaving Birmingham just four points adrift of the playoffs.
© Reuters
As far as Swansea are concerned, they have started to lose their way after previously putting together a run of seven victories from nine games.
After two away fixtures without success, Swansea returned to their home ground to face struggling Wigan Athletic on Saturday looking to win for a fifth successive match on familiar territory.
However, Russell Martin witnessed his team fall 2-0 behind within 16 minutes, a point only being salvaged courtesy of a penalty six minutes from time.
Although the Welsh outfit remain just two points adrift of the playoffs, they now have just one clean sheet in nine outings, and they will not want to enter the break for the start of the World Cup on a five-match streak without success.
Team News
© Reuters
Birmingham will be forced into at least one alteration with Krystian Bielik serving a one-match ban for five yellow cards.
Jordan James is likely to replace the Poland international in midfield, and that could prove to be the only change if Eustace opts against freshening up his side ahead of also facing Sunderland on Friday.
Matt Grimes will return to the Swansea XI after missing the draw with Wigan due to the accumulation of five bookings.
Grimes will replace Luke Cundle in the middle, who then may move further forward with Michael Obafemi the player to drop out of the side.
Martin has numerous options if he wants to make further changes with Harry Darling, Matthew Sorinola and Olivier Ntcham all pushing to be involved.
Birmingham City possible starting lineup:
Ruddy; Sanderson, Dean, Trusty; Colin, Bacuna, James, Mejbri, Graham; Jutkiewicz, Hogan
Swansea City possible starting lineup:
Benda; Latibeaudiere, Darling, Cabango; Sorinola, Fulton, Grimes, Manning; Cundle, Cooper; Piroe
We say: Birmingham City 2-1 Swansea City
With Swansea possessing the firepower to get back on track, all three results are possible on Tuesday. However, we cannot ignore the form of Blues, who are performing with the kind of togetherness which could make them promotion candidates in the long term.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Darren Plant
