Match preview - Blues v Wolves
Here's the lowdown on everything you need to know for a crucial West Midlands derby at St Andrew's.
Wolves, it goes without saying, could do with a win. Three defeats on the trot have left many doubting whether they will mount a promotion charge this season, with Kenny Jackett's team already nine points off the play-offs.
As Jackett himself said this week, it's imperative Wolves get moving quickly.
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Gary Rowett's Blues are exactly where Wolves would settle for being right now - sixth place.
It's likely to be, as it usually is, a fiercely contested West Midlands derby and Wolves know they will have to match Blues for passion and desire, as well as quality, if they're to come away with a result.
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TEAM NEWS
Blues
Blues have David Cotterill available again after a hamstring injury. He played the second half of last week's 2-0 defeat to Hull City.
Maikel Kieftenbeld has struggled with a groin injury, but is likely to be in Rowett's squad. Ex-Wolves players Tomasz Kuszczak, Stephen Gleeson and David Davis could all line up against their old club.
Wolves
Mike Williamson is likely to be handed an instant debut after joining on loan on Thursday.
Dominic Iorfa was being given a fitness test today on a knee injury. Wolves are of course without Kortney Hause (hamstring) and Ethan Ebanks-Landell (foot), as well as Rajiv van La Parra (knee).
The Dutchman's absence has led to 20-year-old winger Jordan Graham being recalled from a loan spell at Oxford United and he is likely to be on the bench at least.
And Jackett must again choose between Conor Coady and Jack Price in midfield. Adam Le Fondre will also be pushing for a recall.
LIKELY LINE UPS
Blues (4-3-3): Kuszczak; Caddis, Morrison, Robinson, Grounds; Gleeson, Spector, Kieftenbeld; Maghoma, Donaldson, Gray. Subs: Legzdins, Cotterill, Solomon-Otabor, Toral, Shinnie, Davis, Brock-Madsen.
Wolves (4-4-1-1): Martinez; Iorfa, Batth, Williamson, Golbourne; Byrne, Coady, McDonald, Henry; Edwards; Afobe. Subs: Ikeme, Doherty, Price, Wallace, Ojo, Graham, Le Fondre.
FORM GUIDE
In a word, contrasting. Before that defeat to fellow high-flyers Hull, Blues had won five on the spin, beating Rotherham, Brentford, Leeds, QPR and Bolton, conceding only one goal in the process.
Wolves have shipped nine goals in the past three matches, all defeats.
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MATCH ODDS
Unsurprisingly, Blues are favourites. You can get as short as 13/8 for a home win, while an average price for Wolves is 17/10.
At 20/1, Stephen Gleeson isn't a bad shout to score first and continue the standard curse of former Wolves players scoring against them.
A repeat of last year's scoreline, a 2-1 win for Blues, is 10/1.
Benik Afobe is favourite to score first at 4/1, while if Wolves are to repeat the margin of victories of their last two wins, 3-0, you can get up to 37/1.
April 11, 2015 (Championship), Birmingham 2 Wolves 1. Scott Golbourne's dreadful error allows Demarai Gray to steal in and score the winner, after Afobe had given Wolves a first-half lead. The defeat was a bitter blow to Wolves' play-off hopes.
April 1, 2013 (Championship), Birmingham 2 Wolves 3. April Fool's Day, and it felt like a joke when Wolves belied their relegation form to race into a 3-0 first-half lead through Stephen Hunt and Sylvan Ebanks-Blake (two). Wade Elliott pulled two back but Wolves held on. However, a season-ending injury to Ebanks-Blake would play a big role in their eventual relegation.
January 7, 2012 (FA Cup), Birmingham 0 Wolves 0. Possibly one of the worst Wolves games in living memory (if you manage to remember it). Chances were extremely minimal And it was live on telly to boot. Wolves lost the replay 1-0 at Molineux.
May 1, 2011 (Premier League), Birmingham 1 Wolves 1. A massively important derby with both teams fighting relegation. Stephen Fletcher's early penalty was cancelled out by a Sebastian Larsson equaliser. But Wolves won their next two and stayed up at Blues' expense.
February 7, 2010 (Premier League), Birmingham 2 Wolves 1. Wolves were deep in relegation trouble when they visited top-half Blues. Kevin Doyle put Mick McCarthy's men ahead but goals in the 80th and 85th minutes from long-time nemesis Kevin Phillips gave Blues a dramatic victory.
Gary Rowett:"We drew with them a year ago and you could see they were a much better side than us. Later in the season we beat them 2-1 at St Andrew's and showed our progress.
We have done well in front of the cameras this season, so we want to continue that and show what a proud group we are. Hopefully the performance will be a good one.
Kenny Jackett: "They're right up there at the top part of the league and will be looking for one of those automatic promotion places for sure.
"They've had a very good run last season and continued that and their progress.
"To bring in Williamson in is a good signing I feel, we're very pleased, particularly when you're looking at the injuries we've got in that particular area."
FOR THE FANS
Always a popular away day and Wolves will take around 2,000 to St Andrew's.
Staying in the city centre for pre-match tipples, such as at the Wetherspoon pub on Bennett's Hill, is advisable, as is avoiding wearing football colours.
Never the friendliest of encounters, there were running battles on the way walk back to the city centre last year and there will be a strong police presence in and around the ground.
It's a 12.30pm kick off and fans are asked to arrive slightly early as there will be a minute's silence ahead of Remembrance Day.
