Birmingham host Sunderland in the Championship with both teams currently in the relegation zone.
Diogo Jota of Wolverhampton Wanderers and Grant Ward of Ipswich Town compete for the ball during the Sky Bet Championship match at Portman Road.
There were only four Championship fixtures at the weekend with many teams involved in the FA Cup fourth round, meaning midweek boasts a number of important fixtures.
One of the most interesting, certainly near the bottom of the table, is Birmingham City hosting Sunderland at St Andrew’s, with the two sides currently both in the relegation zone in 23rd and 22nd respectively.
Steve Cotterill, manager of Birmingham City, looks on ahead of The Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match against Huddersfield Town.
Victory for either, depending on how 21st-placed Hull City get on at home to Leeds United, could move them out of the bottom three and help towards their bid to remain in the second tier of English football.
The two teams met as recently as December 23 when they played out a 1-1 draw at the Stadium Of Light and the general thinking will be this could be another close encounter.
Chris Coleman, manager of Sunderland, reacts during the Sky Bet Championship match against Reading.
Birmingham are in relatively decent form, having won two, drawn one and lost two of their five league outings since that meeting in the North East. During the same period the Black Cats have won two – including their most recent game against Hull – and lost three.
With the Tigers, Bolton Wanderers and Barnsley all being drawn into the battle for the drop as well, this clash in the Midlands could play a crucial part in who does and doesn’t stay up.
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