Preview: West Bromwich Albion vs. Birmingham City - prediction, team news, lineups

After just three wins between them, the Baggies and Blues occupy 16th and 21st position in the standings respectively ahead of their return to action for the first time since the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.

Match preview

Of all the teams to end Preston's long-standing clean-sheet record, Birmingham would have been the undisputed last pick of the majority of people given their issues in front of goal.

That said, this is the Championship and anything can happen, which it did as Maxime Colin netted the only goal of the game in the 16th minute.

Such has been been Blues' poor start that they have only moved outside of the relegation zone on goal difference, but John Eustace will now feel that they have momentum on their side.

Their lack of ruthlessness in the final third remains an issue with Scott Hogan the only player to contribute more than one goal or assist in the Championship during Birmingham's opening eight matches.

However, their defensive performances are keeping them in games, and there will be confidence that they can overcome a West Brom side showing similar inconsistency.

From the Baggies' perspective, collecting just nine points from eight matches is far from ideal as Steve Bruce looks to keep the club in the playoff hunt.

However, five of their six draws have come from losing positions, a sign that a squad which has been limited by injuries and transfer mishaps are performing for their manager.

While the West Midlands outfit sit just one point above the bottom three, they will be relatively content that they are just four points adrift of the top six.

Like their hosts, clean sheets have been few and far between this campaign, their only shutout in the league coming at home to Cardiff City.

West Bromwich Albion Championship form:

West Bromwich Albion form (all competitions):

Team News

Birmingham City Championship form:

Team News

Given the club's lack of strength in depth and current injury issues, Bruce may be prepared to stick with the West Brom XI from the Burnley game.

Jake Livermore is most likely to earn a recall in place of Jayson Molumby in midfield, with Brandon Thomas-Asante probably remaining on the substitutes' bench despite his debut goal.

Taylor Gardner-Hickman is again expected to get the nod at right-back ahead of Darnell Furlong.

Barring any injury issues, Eustace could stick with the same Birmingham XI from the victory over Preston.

However, he does have alternatives available to him with Hannibal Mejbri and Jordan James both pushing for opportunities in midfield.

Even if he has recovered from injury, Przemyslaw Placheta may have to make do with a spot among the replacements.

West Bromwich Albion possible starting lineup:

Button; Gardner-Hickman, Bartley, O'Shea, Townsend; Livermore, Yokuslu; Wallace, Swift, Diangana; Grant

Birmingham City possible starting lineup:

Ruddy; Sanderson, Roberts, Trusty; Colin, Bielik, Chong, Graham; Bacuna; Hogan, Deeney

We say: West Bromwich Albion 1-0 Birmingham City

All things considered, it would come as a surprise if there were many goals in this contest. Birmingham are capable of prevailing by the narrowest of margins, but we are backing the Baggies to edge this contest by the odd goal.

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