Birmingham City, currently 14th in the standings, will host Derby County, who are positioned in 12th place. Recent form shows a degree of inconsistency for Birmingham, with a record of four wins, two draws, and four losses in their last ten matches. In contrast, Derby County has demonstrated relative stability, achieving five wins, two draws, and three losses over the same period. Historically, Derby County holds the advantage in head-to-head encounters. From a tactical perspective, Birmingham City tends to focus on central attacks and long passes, but struggles with ball possession, set-piece defence, and finishing. Derby County, on the other hand, excels in utilising width through crosses and set-piece attacks, exhibiting greater finishing efficiency. However, maintaining leads and defending set pieces present challenges for them. Neither team faces immediate relegation pressure, being mid-table. However, Birmingham City, with a slightly lower ranking and playing at home, might experience a heavier psychological burden. The injury situation is a significant factor. Birmingham faces considerable defensive and midfield absences, forcing a defensive restructuring. Derby County is without key forward Morris and several midfielders, impacting their attacking capabilities. Both teams will need to adjust their tactics to accommodate these absences and address the psychological challenges of fielding a depleted squad. Recommendation: Birmingham -0.5