Birmingham v Brighton
Sky Bet Championship
Venue: St. Andrew's Stadium
Date: Saturday 17th December 2016
Kick-off: 17:30 GMT
Referee: Andy Madley
Assistants: Mark Russell, Nicholas Hopton
Fourth official: James Adcock
New Birmingham City boss Gianfranco Zola takes charge for the first time against second-placed Brighton, managed by former Blues manager Chris Hughton.
Zola is without six-goal top scorer Clayton Donaldson, who aggravated an Achilles injury on Tuesday.
Brighton winger Jamie Murphy is back in contention after missing Tuesday's win at Blackburn with a groin problem.
Midfielder Beram Kayal is training again after an ankle injury but centre-back Uwe Hunemeier (hand) is a doubt.
Winger Kazenga LuaLua starts a four-game ban for the Seagulls, who are aiming to extend their unbeaten run in the Championship to 16 games.
ANALYSIS
Johnny Cantor, BBC Sussex: Brighton will be wary of the arrival of Zola at St Andrew's just three days before the game, but the Seagulls passed the test of Blackburn in midweek and will want to maintain the eight-point gap between themselves and third place.
Hughton's side have won the last three games against Birmingham and have a range of options up front, with Tomer Hemed vying with top scorer Glenn Murray for a place alongside Sam Baldock.
The ex-Blues boss believes his former side are a hard-working side, full of solid Championship players.
MATCH FACTS
[*=left]Birmingham City have lost each of their last three league meetings with Brighton.
[*=left]The Seagulls won both last season's league meetings 2-1.
[*=left]Brighton have won five times in an unbeaten away run in the Championship.
[*=left]Birmingham have lost just one of their last nine league games at St Andrew's.
[*=left]Clayton Donaldson has been directly involved in three of Birmingham's last four league goals (two goals and one assist).
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