Preview: Birmingham City vs. Bristol City - prediction, team news, lineups

The Blues had their four game unbeaten run ended by Middlesbrough in midweek, while the visitors drew at home to bottom-of-the-table Coventry City.

Match preview

Birmingham fell to 19th in the table after losing 1-0 away to Middlesbrough last time out, meaning they stay just three points above the relegation zone, now 12 games into the Championship season.

The result meant that their opponents went above them in the Championship standings, and it will be a difficult one for John Eustace to take, having worked so hard to get a point away at league leaders Sheffield United in the match prior, but then falling short to a team without a permanent manager, with Boro sacking Chris Wilder prior to the game.

Defeat at the Riverside Stadium highlighted the issue for The Blues this season, which has been their finishing, only scoring nine league goals this campaign, an attacking record that is only better than two other teams, massive outliers Preston North End, and Coventry who have played three games fewer.

A good recent record against Bristol City is to Birmingham's advantage going into Saturday's game, having only lost one of the previous seven encounters between the two sides, and doing the double over their opponents in the 2021-22 season.

In Bristol City's last outing, they were held to a 0-0 draw at home to bottom-of-the-table Coventry, failing to create a great deal of opportunities despite having the vast majority of possession.

The result did bring to an end a three-game losing streak, but will be frustrating for The Robins as it was a good opportunity missed to move back up the table towards the playoff places, now sitting in 14th place and on an extra game played than the two sides immediately above them.

Recent form can perhaps be excused given the quality of the opposition they have lost to, and the manner of it, being defeated narrowly by recently-relegated Norwich City and Burnley on the road, and falling to a 2-1 defeat at home to fourth-placed Queens Park Rangers.

Nigel Pearson will be particularly happy with his side's attacking output this season, boasting the joint-highest goals tally in the division, with 20 goals so far this campaign.

While they have been proficient going forward, it is the opposite story in defence for The Robins, conceding 18 goals already this season, with only Hull City and Huddersfield Town shipping more, and they are yet to keep a clean sheet when playing away from home.

Birmingham City Championship form:

L

W

W

D

D

L

Bristol City Championship form:

W

W

L

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L

D

Team News

Harlee Dean is close to returning for Birmingham after recovering from a leg injury which has kept him sidelined all season, and the defender may make the squad on Saturday.

The Blues have used a 3-4-1-2 in most matches this season, with Scott Hogan being their main threat in attack, having five goals and an assist to his name, and the Irishman is set to start next to Troy Deeney.

Manchester United loanee Hannibal Mejbri may be preferred to Juninho Bacuna in behind the two strikers, having been brought on for the second half against Middlesbrough and looking impressive.

Bristol City will be without Kai Naismith, with the defender needing to have a scan after picking up a calf injury in his side's last match against Coventry, and Joe Williams is set to start in his absence.

Tomas Kalas is still missing with a knee injury that has kept him out since March, but the 29-year-old is making steps towards recovery and may be available later this month.

Nahki Wells is set to start in attack for The Robins, with seven goals to his name this season, and Andreas Weimann is likely to play in behind the striker, having seven goal contributions of his own, three goals and four assists.

Birmingham City possible starting lineup:

Ruddy; Sanderson, Trusty, Colin; Graham, Bielik, Chong, Emmanuel, Mejbri; Deeney, Hogan

Bristol City possible starting lineup:

Bentley; Vyner, Williams, Atkinson; Sykes, Massengo, King, Dasilva, Weimann; Wells, Conway

We say: Birmingham City 1-1 Bristol City

With little splitting the two sides, we see this one finishing as a draw. Bristol City are a threat going forward and will have opportunities, but they have shown defensive frailties and are yet to keep a clean sheet on the road. As such, Birmingham should be good enough to get a point.

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