Brighton & Hove Albion could move into the playoff places with a win over Birmingham City in their Championship encounter at the Amex Stadium on Saturday.

The Seagulls are currently level on points with sixth-placed Ipswich Town, but they sit just outside the playoff places on goal difference.

They go into the match in good form having only been beaten once in their last seven games and just twice in their last 14 in all competitions.

Oscar Garcia's men have gone four games unbeaten in front of their own fans since their shock 2-1 loss to Barnsley at the start of December, including a 1-0 win over Reading in the FA Cup on Saturday.

Craig Mackail-Smith is still a long-term absentee for the hosts, while Gordon Greer and Andrea Orlandi are both doubts for the match.

Birmingham have hauled themselves out of immediate danger towards the bottom of the Championship table with a fine run of results recently, but they are still just eight points clear of the bottom three so will be keen to pick up all three points this weekend.

The Blues have not been beaten since the start of November, a run that stretches back 10 league games, while they have amassed 14 of a possible 18 points on their travels since October 26.

Lee Clark's side could move into the top half of the table if other results go their way, but they will be without Neal Eardley and Matthew Green through injury, while Jesse Lingard is suspended. Jonathan Spector and Kyle Bartley are also doubts for the visitors.

Recent form

Brighton: WDLWDW

Birmingham: DWDDWD

Possible starting lineups

Brighton: Kuszczak; Bruno, Upson, El-Abd, Ward; Crofts, Bridcutt, Barnes, Ince, Orlandi; Ulloa

Birmingham: Randolph; Caddis, Mullins, Robinson, Hancox; Adeyemi, Lee, Burke, Novak, Shinnie; Zigic

Sports Mole says: 1-1

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