Nottingham Forest welcome Birmingham City to the City Ground with the opportunity to move within two points of the visitors in the Championship standings.

While Forest are unbeaten in their last two outings, Blues have conceded eight goals during three successive defeats.

Match preview

With just 17 points coming from his first 16 matches in charge, Chris Hughton will be disappointed with Forest's lack of progress since his arrival in October.

However, collecting four points from games against Sheffield Wednesday and Millwall have kept the East Midlands side outside of the relegation zone.

Despite not reaching the halfway stage of the campaign, Forest were desperately in need of a change in fortunes, particularly with rivals Derby County progressing well under Wayne Rooney.

Hughton will recognise that Forest are still a work in progress, but victory over Birmingham would pull more teams back into the mix regarding survival in the division.

After going five matches without finding the back of the net, Hughton will be relieved that his team have responded by scoring in four games in a row.

Aitor Karanka has made a conscious effort to improve Birmingham's efforts in the final third after numerous uninspiring showings in attack.

However, three successive defeats mean that all momentum has been lost after the surprise wins at Bristol City and Reading earlier in the month.

Losing 4-1 at home to a less-than-prolific Middlesbrough side will be of particular concern to Karanka, and supporters will not be surprised to see a return to more defensive-minded tactics.

Now sitting just six points above the relegation zone ahead of a meeting with a rival, it may be a price that fans are prepared to pay if it means avoiding getting dragged closer to the bottom three.

Nottingham Forest Championship form: DLLLWD

Birmingham City Championship form: LWWLLL

Team News

Barring any late fitness issues, Hughton could decide to name the same side which started the game at Millwall.

Anthony Knockaert and Lyle Taylor are options in the final third if Hughton opts for a different look to his attack.

As for Birmingham, Karanka will almost certainly make several alterations to his starting lineup.

Maikel Kieftenbeld and Ivan Sunjic could return in the centre of midfield, while Jake Clarke-Salter may be recalled in defence.

Having been restricted to three substitute appearances since his recent arrival, Alen Halilovic is in line to get an opportunity from the opening whistle.

Nottingham Forest possible starting lineup:
Samba; Christie, Soh, Worrall, Ribeiro; Sow, Yates; Ameobi, Cafu, Mighten; Grabban

Birmingham City possible starting lineup:
Etheridge; Colin, Roberts, Clarke-Salter, Pedersen; Kieftenbeld, Sunjic; Sanchez, Halilovic, Bela; Hogan

We say: Nottingham Forest 2-1 Birmingham City

While both managers are under pressure heading into this contest, it is Karanka who will be more unsure of his tactics. With that in mind, we are backing an improving Forest outfit to edge out Blues, potentially via a goal scored in the latter stages.

Top betting tip