Preview: Coventry City vs. Birmingham City - prediction, team news, lineups

High-flying Coventry City will be looking to return to winning ways in the Championship when they welcome Birmingham City on Tuesday night.

Coventry are currently fifth in the Championship table, just one point behind third-placed West Bromwich Albion, while Birmingham sit 15th with 22 points to show from their opening 18 matches of the season.

Match preview

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Dreaming of a return to the Premier League for the first time since the 2000-01 campaign, Coventry have enjoyed an impressive season to date, winning nine, drawing four and losing five of their 18 matches to collect 31 points, which has left them in fifth position in the table.

Mark Robins's side will enter Tuesday's contest off the back of a goalless draw at Sheffield United on Saturday, which followed a 3-2 win over Bristol City before the international break.

Coventry have two huge games after this one against Bournemouth and West Brom, and it will be fascinating to see whether they can stay in the playoff positions heading into the festive period.

The Sky Blues have been rightly praised this season, but it is still only November, and there are only five points separating them from 10th-placed Blackpool, which is an indication of how quickly things could change.

Coventry have not actually beaten Birmingham in any competition since August 2012, but both league games between the two teams last season finished level.

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Birmingham, meanwhile, won three straight games in the Championship between October 23 and November 2, beating Swansea City, Middlesbrough and Bristol City in impressive fashion.

However, the Blues have now lost their last two, going down 2-1 at home to Reading on November 6 before suffering a 2-0 defeat to Hull City on Saturday afternoon.

A record of six wins, four draws and eight defeats from 15 matches has seen Birmingham collect 22 points, which has left them in 15th spot in the table, seven points above the relegation zone.

Lee Bowyer's team are only seven points off the top six, meanwhile, and would certainly propel themselves up the table if they manage to put together another winning run in the coming weeks.

Team News

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Coventry will again be without the services of Jake Clarke-Salter on Tuesday night due to a heel problem, but the home side did not pick up any fresh issues at the weekend.

As a result, it would not be a surprise to see head coach Robins name the same side that took to the field for the first whistle against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.

Viktor Gyokeres has been in excellent form for the Sky Blues this term, netting nine Championship goals, and the 23-year-old will again operate at the tip of the attack.

As for Birmingham, George Friend, Jordan Graham, Maxime Colin, Kristian Pedersen and Adan George remain on the sidelines through injury, while Gary Gardner is suspended following his red card against Hull.

Gardner's absence will open the door for Chuks Aneke to feature in an advanced area, while Scott Hogan and Troy Deeney should both retain their spots in the side.

Lukas Jutkiewicz is pushing to be involved from the start, but the 32-year-old could again ultimately be used off the bench by head coach Bowyer.

Coventry City possible starting lineup:
Moore; Hyam, McFadzean, Rose; Kane, Hamer, Sheaf, Dabo; Allen, Gyokeres, O'Hare

Birmingham City possible starting lineup:
Sarkic; Sanderson, Roberts, Dean; McGree, Woods, Sunjic, Bela; Aneke; Hogan, Deeney

We say: Coventry City 2-1 Birmingham City

Coventry have not beaten Birmingham in the league since February 2009, but we are expecting that run to end in this match. Robins's side have only lost one of their last five in the Championship and should have just about enough to overcome their 15th-placed opponents on Tuesday night.

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