Birmingham City would move out of the bottom three with victory away to Rotherham United this weekend.

Both clubs are embroiled in an early battle at the wrong end of the Championship table at the moment, with the Millers sitting two points and four positions above 23rd-placed Birmingham.

Things are looking up for the Blues, however, with Gary Rowett having an immediate effect on the team and going unbeaten in his first three matches.

Goalless draws against Wolverhampton Wanderers and Cardiff City were good results for the Midlands outfit, while victory over high-flying Watford was a big feather in Rowett's cap early on.

The former Burton Albion boss will be hoping that the momentum has continued through the international break, with this weekend's match the easiest he has faced on paper since taking over.

Whether he is merely enjoying a honeymoon period remains to be seen, but two clean sheets in three games is a promising sign for a club who have the joint-worst defensive record in the division.

Goals at the other end of the field remain a problem, although Clayton Donaldson is unlikely to lose his starting berth despite rumours of former striker Nikola Zigic potentially returning to the club.

Rowett will not have Wes Thomas available due to suspension, so he could name an unchanged side to the one that drew with Cardiff last time out.

Rotherham could end the weekend in the bottom three themselves should results go against them, and they are likely to be short of confidence going into this match having not won any of their last five outings.

Indeed, while Birmingham have had goalscoring issues of their own, Rotherham have found the net on just one more occasion that the Blues this season and have not scored in any of their last three games.

They have, however, scored in their last 12 matches against the Blues despite not winning any of their last seven meetings, with three defeats and four draws.

The Millers have struggled to keep hold of the ball in their matches this season, with an average possession figure of just 43.5% - the lowest total in the division.

Steve Evans will once again be without Jordan Bowery through suspension and could name an unchanged team to the one that held Yorkshire rivals Sheffield Wednesday to a goalless draw last time out.

Rotherham:

Recent form: WDDLLD

Possible starting lineup: Collin; Richardson, Morgan, Broadfoot, Skarz; Smallwood, Frecklington, Green, Pringle; Taylor; Revell

Birmingham:

Recent form: LLLDWD

Possible starting lineup: Randolph; Caddis, Morrison, Robinson, Grounds; Davis, Gleeson, Cotterill, Shinnie, Arthur; Donaldson

Sports Mole says: 1-2

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