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

While the visitors are on the up after the appointment of Steve Cooper, Blues head into this contest on the back of four games without a win.

Match preview

The appointment of new managers are known to lead to instant improvements in many cases, and that has been no different since Forest replaced Chris Hughton with Cooper.

However, even after just two games, the former Swansea City head coach is seen as a major success, guiding Forest to four points against Millwall and Barnsley.

The East Midlands outfit have fought back on both occasions, Wednesday's fixture at Oakwell seeing three goals scored during the closing half hour.

While Cooper will not move away from his back-three strategy in the long term, the switch to 4-2-3-1 paid off immediately with Philip Zinckernagel, Brennan Johnson and Lewis Grabban all getting on the scoresheet.

Forest now sit outside of the relegation zone for the first time this season, and Cooper will expect further progress against opponents who have alarmingly lost their way.

Three defeats in four matches have changed the perception that Birmingham will emerge as playoff contenders this season, Lee Bowyer's side now down in 15th position.

The manner of the setbacks are concerning Blues supporters with their club well beaten by Fulham, Peterborough United and Queens Park Rangers respectively.

Bowyer is under pressure to deviate away from any tactics which involve using a three-man defence, something which may prove difficult when their next opponents use a similar tactic.

Nevertheless, Bowyer must change something behind the scenes at St Andrew's, as well as demanding more from Troy Deeney who is yet to make an impact since joining his boyhood club.

Birmingham City Championship form:

Nottingham Forest Championship form:

Team News

While Bowyer may resist calls to change to 4-2-3-1, the Blues boss is expected to make a number of alterations to his starting lineup.

Lukas Jutkiewicz should get the nod over Deeney or Scott Hogan, while George Friend may return to the defence.

Having netted as a substitute against Barnsley, Grabban is in contention for a recall to the Forest attack.

Alex Mighten is another option for Cooper, but the Forest boss is unlikely to hand starts to both of those players.

Barring any late fitness issues, the remainder of the team should remain the same as Cooper looks to build momentum.

Birmingham City possible starting lineup:

Sarkic; Sanderson, Dean, Friend; Colin, Woods, Sunjic, Bela; Chong; Jutkiewicz, Deeney

Nottingham Forest possible starting lineup:

Samba; Worrell, Figueiredo, McKenna; Spence, Yates, Garner, Lowe; Johnson, Zinckernagel; Grabban

We say: Birmingham City 1-2 Nottingham Forest

With Bowyer seemingly caught between formations at the moment, Forest will be confident of taking full advantage. Even with their first-choice frontmen potentially remaining out of the team, we expect the visitors to battle their way to all three points.