Birmingham

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Birmingham arrive this fixture having managed to put behind a distraught run of form that saw them navigate four straight games without a winning result. During that run they suffered three straight defeats after a one-all draw with Sheffield United. They've however met renewed fortunes over their recent encounters by defeating Wrexham (2-0) and playing out a stalemate with Hull in their latest fixture. At St Andrew's they have been decent hosts in the Championship and their squad, built for second-tier football has enough quality to control games against mid-table opposition.

Preston

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Preston have been one of the Championship's consistent mid-table performers sitting 13th on 57 points with decent results across the campaign. They arrive this fixture level on points with their opposition but three places behind them on the log. Their las league fixture which ended in a two-nil defeat against West Bromwich Albion ended a fine run of four games without defeat. Away from Deepdale, they have been competitive and their tactical organisation makes them difficult to beat. However, away at a Birmingham side on reasonable home form, Preston will be challenged.