Birmingham boss Gianfranco Zola is in charge of his second match this afternoon, after controversially replacing Gary Rowett in the St Andrew's hot seat.

The Italian suffered defeat in his first match in charge, as Brighton beat Blues 2-1 on 17 December courtesy of a late comeback.

They could move up to seventh in the Championship table if they win today.

Image source, Rex Features

Derby might want to be wary of Lukas Jutkiewicz in the air today.

The Birmingham striker has scored more headed goals than any other Championship player so far this season.

That kind of form persuaded the Blues to make his loan from Burnley into a permanent £1m switch.

Image source, Getty Images

There are few Championship players in better form than Tom Ince right now.

He's been one of their star performers in a run of eight matches unbeaten, which has lifted Derby to the brink of the play-off places.

Owen Phillips
BBC Sport at Pride Park

It's never too late for a Christmas present...

Derby County fans have a free flag for today's home match. Birmingham's travelling support have been left out.

One suspects this is nothing to do with being good or naughty this year. For Blues fans, that present would have been a lot worse than socks or a new ironing board cover. 

Image source, Owen Phillips

The teams have been confirmed at Pride Park.

For the hosts Derby County there are two changes as Craig Bryson and Matej Vydra drop to the bench, making way for Darren Bent and Will Hughes.

The visitors Birmingham City make one change from their loss to Brighton 10 days ago, with winger Jacques Maghoma starting and Wales' David Cotterill not named in the matchday squad.

Derby: Carson, Baird, Keogh (c), Pearce, Olsson; Johnson, Butterfield, Hughes; Ince, Russell, Bent.

Subs: Mitchell (GK), Bryson, Shackell, Anya, Camara, Vydra, Weimann.

Birmingham: Kuszczak, Spector, Morrison (c), Shotton, Grounds, Kieftenbeld, Gleeson, Davis, Maghoma, Stewart, Jutkiewicz.

Subs: Legzdins (GK), Robinson, Tesche, Fabbrini, Adams, Brown, Dacres-Cogley.

Image source, Rex Features

If you're only just joining us, Brighton beat 10-man QPR to go two points clear at the top of the Championship.

Read Phil Cartwright's match report to catch up with what happened.

We'll be switching our attentions to this afternoon's second match soon, as Derby welcome Birmingham at 15:00 GMT.

Brighton took advantage of Newcastle's slip-up yesterday to go to the top of the Championship.

Glenn Murray scored his 15th goal of the season to help the Seagulls to a 3-0 win over QPR but the on-loan Bournemouth man is not getting carried away...

Image source, Rex Features

After a very one-sided second half, referee Keith Stroud puts QPR out of their misery.

Brighton go two points clear at the top of the Championship table, after extending their unbeaten run to 17 matches.

They're now eight points clear of third-placed Reading.

QPR suffer a sixth straight defeat.

QPR rally late on as Jamie Mackie continues to harry and hassle the Albion defence.

Sandro has a strike from range but it is blocked.

Albion have another chance from a corner as Lewis Dunk latches onto Jiri Skalak's delivery at the back post.

He heads wide of the goal though.

We are into three minutes of added time.

Image source, Rex Features

A few strains of 'you're getting sacked in the morning' are audible from the home fans towards QPR boss Ian Holloway.

He won the first game of his second spell in charge of the R's but since then it's been six straight defeats.

It's all fairly easy for Brighton at the moment. The result is settled and they are comfortable.

Anthony Knockaert bursts into the box but QPR keeper Alex Smithies is alert to the danger and comes out to clear the ball away.

In a rare foray forward for QPR in the second half, Pawel Wszolek wins a corner on the right.

Albion keeper David Stockdale came for that and got nowhere near it. He's fortunate his defence are covering and they clear the ball away.

Albion sub Tomer Hemed has a strike at goal after twisting and turning on the edge of the area.

R's keeper Alex Smithies gets down to smother it.

Midfielder Massimo Luongo is back on, sporting a white bandage to the head.

QPR are temporarily down to nine men as Massimo Luongo is forced off with a blood injury.

Rangers co-chairman Tony Fernandes is spotted in the stands briefly. He doesn't look to happy with how things are going.

This will be QPR's sixth straight defeat.

QPR striker Idrissa Sylla goes into the book for kicking the ball away after fouling Dale Stephens.

Meanwhile, Sandro comes on for Jordan Cousins in midfield and Yeni Ngbakoto is replaced by defender Osman Kakay as QPR make their final changes.

It's just damage limitation now for Ian Holloway.

Image source, Rex Features

The second half has been a bit of a cake walk for Brighton, with the penalty and then the sending-off of Nedum Onuoha settling things.

Home fans have the 'oles' out as the Seagulls dominate the ball in the QPR half.

Brighton make their third and final change, as winger Jiri Skalak replaces Sam Baldock.

Baldock got the ball rolling for Albion on 11 minutes, and his goal has been the pick of the bunch this afternoon.

At the other end, David Stockdale springs into action to keep it at 3-0 and preserve his clean sheet.

Jake Bidwell launches a cross into the Albion box and Idrissa Sylla meets it.

His header is looping in but Stockdale gets across to tip that over the bar.