Birmingham vs Coventry predictions: Blues to deepen for hosts
- Birmingham have lost six of their last seven matches
- Both teams have scored in each of Coventry's last six games
- Recommended bet: Coventry to win
Saturday's clash between Birmingham and Coventry is a key contest at both ends of the Championship table.
The Blues are deep in relegation trouble after taking only four points from their last 10 league games, while Coventry have lost two of their last three matches and cannot afford any further slips if they are going to secure a place in the play-offs.
Team news
Siriki Dembele was left out of the Birmingham squad for the game against Cardiff but is not injured, while left-back Lee Buchanan (groin) is an injury doubt.
Coventry's Milan van Ewijk should be available after going off in the defeat to Southampton.
Kasey Palmer is nursing a hamstring issue but was able to make a substitute appearance in that game while Haji Wright was able to start despite a groin concern.
Matty Godden could return after missing three games with a calf strain.
The stats
Birmingham have lost eight of their last 10 matches.
Coventry's last four away league games have all produced three or more goals.
Both teams have scored in 10 of Coventry's last 12 Championship away games.
Coventry have won the teams' last two meetings 2-0.
Birmingham have scored only three goals in their last seven matches.
Coventry have scored in their last 16 away games.
Prediction
Both teams need the three points available from this contest but it is Coventry's bid to get into the Championship play-off positions that should be boosted rather than Birmingham's battle to stay up.
The Blues have slumped to 23rd in the Championship standings with only already-relegated Rotherham below them and while there are still plenty of teams within range, they have shown little sign of being able to collect the necessary points to climb out of trouble.
Interim manager Gary Rowett has lost three of his four games in charge with defeats to QPR, Leicester and Cardiff undermining an excellent 1-0 home win over Preston.
Confidence appears to be low at St Andrew's with Birmingham having claimed only four points from the last 30 available and their plight could get worse against a talented Coventry team.
The Sky Blues' play-off push has slowed somewhat with losses to Cardiff and Southampton in their last three games, but they showed their quality with a 2-1 win over title hopefuls Leeds in between and should relish this less challenging fixture.
Going on the road should not be a problem for Coventry, who had won on their three away trips prior to the loss at St Mary's, which included a fantastic 3-2 FA Cup quarter-final win over Premier League Wolves.
With eight days to prepare for their Wembley cup semi-final against Manchester United after this game, Coventry's minds should still be fully focused on the task at hand and they should have what is required to beat the struggling home side.
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