Birmingham vs Middlesbrough prediction, odds and how to watch

Burnley dominated large portions of this Championship clash at Turf Moor but paid the price for wastefulness in front of goal, as Middlesbrough's Ugo Raghouber levelled nine minutes into the second half to earn a share of the spoils.

Southampton created four big chances and missed three of them as Birmingham dug in for a 1-1 Championship draw, with Keven Schlotterbeck's header cancelled out by August Priske's second-half equaliser.

Brentford produced a thoroughly controlled performance to beat Birmingham 6-1 in the Carabao Cup, with the contest effectively settled by half-time as the visitors' structural dominance and aerial threat proved far too much for the hosts to handle.

Middlesbrough were comfortable and controlled throughout at the Keepmoat, winning 3-1 with a performance that revealed clear tactical superiority. The scoreline tells the story, but the detail behind it tells you far more.

Birmingham arrive at St Andrew's having drawn their opening two Championship games, while Middlesbrough carry an xG profile that suggests they are creating far more than their results show. Saturday's fixture has the makings of a tight, tactical contest where structure will decide everything.

Middlesbrough host a Norwich side carrying four long-term absentees and no points from their opening two Championship games. The structure of both defences will decide this one.

Derby carry the weight of a difficult opening to their Championship campaign into a home fixture against a Birmingham side that has quietly built a platform of defensive solidity. The tactical questions here are more interesting than the table positions suggest.

Norwich arrive at Carrow Road without a point from their opening two Championship games and carrying four long-term injury absences, while Birmingham have drawn both of theirs and shown they are hard to break down. Something has to give on Wednesday evening.