Birmingham City vs Brighton and Hove Albion. Sky Bet Championship.
St. Andrew's StadiumAttendance17,287.
Monday 19 December 2016 09:40, UK
Gianfranco Zola will take charge of Birmingham for the first time when title-chasing Brighton visit St Andrew's in front of the Sky Sports cameras as the 10 in 10 marathon of Sky Bet EFL football continues.
Blues sprung a surprise this week by sacking Gary Rowett hours after Tuesday night's 2-1 home win over Ipswich, which left the club outside the Sky Bet Championship play-off places only on goal difference, and a new era will get underway on Saturday evening with Zola at the helm.
Zola has admitted he feels for his predecessor but has urged fans to get behind his new Blues, telling reporters: "I know I am coming in for a coach who has done excellent but I will do my best to make it the right decision.
"I will give everything and it is worth giving faith to people who are coming here to work with a good intention. It would be harsh if me and my team are not given a possibility to show what we can do here."
Team news
The former Watford and West Ham boss has said he will change very little but he could be without Clayton Donaldson after the striker had to be carried from the pitch in midweek with a leg injury.
Greg Stewart (thigh), Diego Fabbrini (groin) and Paul Caddis (shoulder) were absent against Ipswich while Stephen Gleeson (toe) and Jacques Maghoma were involved but not fully fit.
Brighton will welcome Jamie Murphy back into their squad for the trip to the west midlands.
The winger sat out the 3-2 win over Blackburn as a precaution having just returned from a groin injury, but is now in contention for manager Chris Hughton as he takes on his former side.
Hughton has no fresh injury worries and has Beram Kayal and Liam Rosenior back in training - although neither are likely to start at St Andrew's.
Defender Uwe Huenemeier (hand) is still missing for the Seagulls as they look to extend their unbeaten league run, which stretches back to September.
Opta stats
Birmingham have lost each of their last three league meetings with Brighton.
Brighton have won five and lost none of their last seven away outings in the Championship.
Birmingham have lost just one of their last nine league games at St. Andrew's (W6 D2).
Clayton Donaldson has been directly involved in three of Birmingham's last four league goals (two goals and one assist).
Prutton's prediction
I did Birmingham's 2-1 win over Ipswich on Tuesday, and it was relatively straightforward. Birmingham were very competitive, and then the news comes on Wednesday morning and everything has changed.
It's a funny one, because from a players' point of view, when things aren't going so well and a manager gets sacked, you're not flabbergasted by it, despite the Blues being seventh in the Championship having won three of their last five.
I think with Brighton it gives them that impetus. It was a bit topsy-turvy away at Blackburn,
PRUTTON PREDICTS: 1-2 (Sky Bet's odds: 8/1)
Watch Birmingham v Brighton live on Sky Sports 1 HD and Sky Sports Mix from 5.15pm on Saturday.
