Tonight it’s the turn of Leeds United to come to St Andrews to face the mighty Blue machine, and with that in mind here is my preview of the game.

Leeds United

Leeds are a form side in the division at the moment, lying fifth with 21 points from their twelve games. In their last six league games they’ve accrued fourteen points, scoring thirteen goals and conceding seven. Furthermore, the lilywhites have scored three times in each of their previous three away games; clearly, this is a side who knows where the back of the net is.

On the injury front Simon Grayson is awaiting to see if Robert Snodgrass can return from injury, with Mika Vayrynen poised to deputise if the Scottish international doesn’t make it. First choice keeper Andy Lonergan is out with a broken finger, so ex-Manchester United and Blackpool keeper Paul Rachubka will continue between the sticks.

Birmingham City

Blues come into the game off a run of five successive wins in all competitions, and having conceded only one goal in four home league games this season. However, it’s another step in a gruelling schedule for Blues, being a third game in six days and Hughton may once again have to shuffle his pack to ensure tiredness doesn’t set in.

Spanish centre back Pablo Ibanez definitely misses out after suffering concussion in the away match against Club Brugge, along with Wade Elliott who picked up a bang to his calf in the same game. Curtis Davies is a possible doubt having picked up a knock against Bristol City but should play.

I think that is going to be a very tough game for Blues, and with the visit of Brighton and Hove Albion at the weekend I think Chris Hughton has to once again make some tough decisions regarding squad rotation. I’d like to see Guirane N’Daw make his league bow against Leeds after a good performance out in Belgium, maybe in place of Keith Fahey who has played the last three games on the spin. I’d also like to see David Murphy brought in at left back to replace Liam Ridgewell, who I think has been a bit suspect recently, and maybe Redmond come in for Burke who was apparently blowing out of his arse at the end of the Bristol City game.

I can’t see us making it a sixth win on the spin however much I’d like them too; however, I don’t believe we’ll lose either – Blues have too much about them even with this heavy schedule of games. I’m going for a 1-1 draw, and a hope that the massive visiting contingent from Yorkshire doesn’t translate to trouble in town.

Tags: Chris Hughton, Curtis Davies, David Murphy, Guirane N'Daw, Keith Fahey, Leeds United, Liam Ridgewell, Nathan Redmond, Pablo Ibanez, Wade Elliott