Birmingham will look to extend their positive run of form in the EFL Championship when they welcome Sunderland to St. Andrew's on Friday evening.
RealSport101's Harry Smith is on hand to provide a comprehensive preview of Saturday's EFL Championship battle, including team news, predicted starting XIs and predictions.
Birmingham vs Sunderland Team News
Juninho Bacuna picked up his fifth yellow card of the season on Tuesday night and will serve a one-match suspension here, but the hosts have Krystian Bielik back to replace him after he served a suspension in midweek.
Centre-back Harlee Dean remains a doubt for Birmingham after he missed the visit of Swansea in midweek, so expect Maxime Colin to fill in as part of the back three on Friday night.
Sunderland will be without versatile defender Luke O'Nien for their final EFL Championship match of 2022, so expect Trai Hume to return to the starting XI at right-back.
Tony Mowbray could make two changes to his midfield for the trip to St. Andrew's with Elliot Embleton and Corry Evans both in contention for recalls.
Confirmed Absentees
Birmingham: Pryzemyslaw Placheta, Marc Roberts, Nico Gordon, Harlee Dean (doubtful), Juninho Bacuna (suspended)
Sunderland: Lyndon Gooch, Aji Alese, Ross Stewart, Dan Ballard, Luke O'Nien (suspended)
Predicted Lineups
Birmingham (3-5-2): Ruddy; Colin, Sanderson, Trusty; Graham, Bielik, Hannibal, Chong, Longelo; Deeney, Hogan
Sunderland (4-4-2): Patterson; Hume, Wright, Batth, Cirkin; Embleton, Evans, Neil, Clarke; Diallo, Simms
Birmingham vs Sunderland Score Prediction
Troy Deeney stepped up with a last-minute equaliser on Tuesday night as Birmingham came from behind to rescue a point at home against a play-off chasing Swansea side.
John Eustace's men are unbeaten in their last four EFL Championship fixtures heading into their final league game of 2022 and are unbeaten in their last six at St. Andrew's.
Sunderland could find no response to Mark Harris' second-half goal last weekend as the Black Cats were condemned to a 1-0 defeat against a struggling Cardiff side.
Tony Mowbray is struggling to find any consistency as injuries and suspensions continue to limit his options. The visitors have won just one of their last five EFL Championship matches ahead of the trip to St. Andrew's.
Score Prediction: Birmingham 2-1 Sunderland
Harry Smith's Tip: Anytime Goalscorer - Scott Hogan
Explore new topics and discover content that's right for you!
Sports