Queens Park Rangers face Birmingham City at St Andrew's on Saturday afternoon having put together a five-match unbeaten streak in the Championship.

While the visitors now sit 11 points above the relegation zone, Blues are only two points above the bottom three after a sustained period of poor form under Aitor Karanka.

Match preview

While speculation persists regarding his long-term future in the West Midlands, Karanka will not be judged on results against teams such as Norwich City.

Nevertheless, the 3-1 defeat against the league leaders has left Blues within one defeat of falling back into the relegation zone, heaping the pressure on the Spaniard.

Last weekend's success at Sheffield Wednesday could prove important in the grand scheme of things, but Karanka desperately needs to improve on a run of five points being collected from eight games.

The goals against the Owls and Canaries marked the first time that Birmingham have scored in successive matches since the turn of the year.

Although QPR have impressed of late, meetings with the Hoops and struggling Huddersfield Town give Blues every chance of maintaining their scoring run into March.

There was a time in January when Mark Warburton would have feared a relegation battle after going nine second-tier fixtures without success.

However, QPR have responded with 19 points being collected from just eight matches, their only setback coming at home to Derby County.

The return of Charlie Austin has undoubtedly had its desired effect, but each member of a settled starting lineup deserves credit for the upturn in results.

Possessing two matches in hand on the teams in the playoffs, Warburton will not rule out the possibility of his side making up a nine-point deficit.

That said, it is still one match at a time for QPR, who must show that they are capable of performing with the added pressure which comes with an excellent set of results.

Birmingham City Championship form: DLLLWL

Queens Park Rangers Championship form: LWWWWD

Team News

Despite only claiming a goalless draw at Deepdale, Warburton is expected to keep changes down to a minimum.

Macauley Bonne is in line to replace Lyndon Dykes in attack, with Sam Field also an option if the QPR manager wants fresher legs in midfield.

Karanka could hand a recall to Birmingham centre-back Marc Roberts, while Southampton loanee Yan Valery is also pushing for a starting role.

Playmaker Alen Halilovic may be brought back into the team, potentially as a replacement for midfielder Rekeem Harper.

Birmingham City possible starting lineup:
Etheridge; Valery, Dean, Roberts, Pedersen; Gardner, Sunjic; Sanchez, Halilovic, Bela; Hogan

Queens Park Rangers possible starting lineup:
Dieng; Dickie, Cameron, Barbet; Kane, Ball, Johansen, Wallace; Chair; Austin, Bonne

We say: Birmingham City 1-1 Queens Park Rangers

Sitting well clear of safety, QPR will play with a sense of freedom against opponents who possess little confidence in the final third. However, the extra edge may suit Birmingham, and we feel that the home side will do enough to claim a share of the spoils.

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