The landlords host the tenants as Birmingham City meet Midlands rivals Coventry City in the Championship at the weekend.

The Sky Blues have been using St Andrew's as their 'home' stadium this season but will be the away team on Saturday afternoon.

Match preview

Mark Robins will be hoping that his side's away form does not translate to this unique scenario as Coventry have won just two times on the road in the Championship this season and were beaten 3-0 by Reading on their most recent excursion. In contrast, they are unbeaten in their last eight matches at St Andrew's and have lost just twice at their temporary home this campaign.

It is a very different story for Birmingham, who have the worst home record in the Championship, winning only twice at St Andrew's all season and losing their most recent six games there.

This will be their first fixture for 10 days, but the Blues lost 1-0 last time out against Preston North End, meaning they have picked up just four points from their last eight matches.

Only three clubs have scored fewer goals in the Championship this season than Birmingham, who have netted just once in their last six outings – Scott Hogan's winner against Middlesbrough.

The club's summer appointment of Aitor Karanka is yet to quite work out, and Rotherham United's recent run of good form has left the Blues sitting only three points above the relegation zone in 19th.

Coventry are three points better off in 17th, having claimed a vital 2-0 win over relegation rivals Sheffield Wednesday on Wednesday night.

January loan signing Viktor Gyokeres scored his first goal for the club just before the hour mark, before Jamie Allen sealed the victory in the 90th minute.

With a fixture against another struggling side, Nottingham Forest, to come next Tuesday, this could be a pivotal period for Coventry as they aim to pull away from the bottom three.

However, the Sky Blues are one of only two Championship sides, along with Rotherham, who have not strung together consecutive wins yet this season.

The reverse fixture between Birmingham and Coventry in November finished 0-0, which was their fifth meeting in a row that ended level after 90 minutes.

Birmingham City Championship form: LDLLWL
Birmingham City form (all competitions): DLLLWL

Coventry City Championship form: LDLWLW
Coventry City form (all competitions): DLWLLW

Team News

Karanka is hopeful that Hogan will be fit to feature on Saturday after picking up a hamstring injury in Birmingham's last match against Preston.

Rekeem Harper, who arrived on loan from West Bromwich Albion last week, is in line to make his debut in midfield and should take the spot of Maikel Kieftenbeld who has signed for Millwall.

Kyle McFadzean is back available for Coventry after being suspended against Sheffield Wednesday.

Fankaty Dabo had to be withdrawn at half time against the Owls due to a knee ligament injury, which means that Josh Pask could start for the first time since October.

Goalkeeper Marko Marosi made his return to the matchday squad in midweek after two months out injured and will challenge Ben Wilson for the number one shirt.

Birmingham City possible starting lineup:
Etheridge; Colin, San Jose, Dean, Friend; Sunjic, Harper; Sanchez, Toral, Bela; Jutkiewicz

Coventry City possible starting lineup:
Wilson; Ostigard, McFadzean, Hyam; Pask, Hamer, James, McCallum; Allen, O'Hare; Gyokeres

We say: Birmingham City 0-1 Coventry City

Very little separates these two clubs in geographical location or in the Championship table so a close game is in store. However, Coventry are in better form and playing at St Andrew's should cancel out their poor away record so we think that the Sky Blues will snatch a narrow win.

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