StonehamPark
#Brighton-Nil
**** Birmingham City FC - VS - Brighton and Hove Albion FC ****
It's time to step up. We've had a few odd and unlucky match day threads, so a dramatic change might be what we need.
Simple and straight to the point. Small icons, like it or lump it.
SKY BET CHAMPIONSHIP
Venue: St Andrew's Date: Saturday, 17 August Kick-off: 15:00 BST
Coverage: Watch highlights on The Football League Show; listen on BBC Radio 5 live and BBC local radio; text commentary on the BBC Sport website
Birmingham City boss Lee Clark is expected to name an unchanged starting line-up for the visit of Brighton.
Midfielders Darren Ambrose (groin) and Jonathan Spector (fractured cheekbone) are close to returning but striker Nikola Zigic (back) remains sidelined.
Brighton are still without right-back Bruno due to the hamstring injury he suffered on the opening day.
Midfielder Liam Bridcutt (hernia) misses out, but fellow midfielder Andrea Orlandi could feature.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
• Birmingham are looking for a 10th win from their 25th league and cup match against Brighton, who have won six of the previous 24.
• The Blues are unbeaten in eight in all competitions with Brighton, including a 2-2 draw in last season's equivalent fixture, when Nikola Zigic salvaged a stoppage-time point for the home side.
• The West Midlands club have won two and drawn four league games, since the Seagulls' 2-1 victory at St Andrews in April 1989; their only away league maximum over these opponents.
Birmingham City
• Birmingham have won one and lost one in the Championship, with a 1-0 home defeat to Watford, followed by a 1-0 victory at Yeovil.
• Lee Clark's side have recorded one win in their last five league games at St Andrews.
• The Blues were one of only three clubs to win fewer points at home (30) than away from home (31) in the Championship in 2012-13.
Brighton & Hove Albion
• The Seagulls have lost all three in league and cup, but are the highest placed of the six clubs without a point in the Championship going into this weekend's round of fixtures.
• It is 25 years since the south coast side lost the first three games of a league season.
• Leonardo Ulloa, 27, is looking to score for the third consecutive league game for Brighton, while fellow forward Ashley Barnes will hoping to make his 100th league start for the club and 150th Brighton appearance.
Come on you Seagulls!!!
Argus says that Ward will go straight in at L/Back, at least we will learn if he is any good...........
