Derby are chasing a fourth straight home league win
Birmingham have lost three of their last five league matches
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Nailing down a place in the Championship play-offs will still be top of the agenda for Derby and Birmingham, but defeat for either at Pride Park on Saturday could be fatal to those lofty aspirations.
The Rams have punched well above pre-season expectations under manager John Eustace and come into this clash in eighth, three points off the esteemed top six.
Birmingham, meanwhile, are two places below and seven points off the play-off spots and they have fared well on the back of last season’s promotion from League One.
Both teams have inconsistent profiles but Derby have been going well at home while Birmingham have flattered to deceive on their travels.
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Team news
Derby are still dealing with a lengthy injury list which includes first-choice goalkeeper Jacob Widell Zetterstrom and backup Josh Vickers, so Richard O’Donnell is set to deputise.
The Rams also remain without defenders Danny Batth, Sondre Langas, Callum Elder and Max Johnston while Lars-Jorgen Salvesen and Liam Thompson are also sidelined.
Birmingham must manage without Lee Buchanan, Alex Cochrane and Kai Wagner.
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The stats
Derby are winless in their last four league games against Birmingham, although the last two meetings have ended in draws.
The Rams have won their last three home league games and have lost only two of their last nine Championship outings at Pride Park.
Birmingham have won only two of their last eight fixtures, suffering back-to-back away defeats to nil.
Only relegated Sheffield Wednesday (13) have scored fewer goals in Championship away games than Birmingham (15) this season, and they have lost 11 of their 19 games on the road.
Both teams have scored in 11 of Derby’s last 13 matches at home.
The latest Derby vs Birmingham odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Prediction
Derby have reeled off three straight home league wins against Swansea, Blackburn and Sheffield Wednesday and they look the most likely victors in this crunch clash with Birmingham.
Only third-placed Ipswich and seventh-placed Wrexham have won at Pride Park since the start of December and there is little in Birmingham’s recent form to suggest that they can follow suit.
The Blues have lost 3-0 at Millwall and 1-0 at Charlton in their last two away games and, with only 15 goals scored in 19 road trips, they may struggle on their travels once again.
Derby manager Eustace is an excellent tactician and he should have a plan to find a way past one of his former clubs, especially as Birmingham have lost 11 of their 19 away fixtures.
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The latest Derby vs Birmingham odds are available on LiveScore Bet
