Just as I was saying about set pieces Birmingham centre-half Marc Roberts hurls a long throw to the back post.

Not that it would have counted but it was going straight in before home goalkeeper Viktor Johnasson backpedalled to catch it.

I think it's probably fair to say these are two of the more direct teams in the Championship.

How both teams deal with set pieces, both attacking and defending, could have a big say in how this one turns out today.

Image source, Rex Features

First chance for the hosts as Freddie Ladapo lets the ball run across his body and fires a 20-yarder towards Neil Etheridge's near post but his low effort skids wide.

Rotherham have played twice since Birmingham were last in action and it's probably no surprise that the visitors have started this on the front foot.

The Millers looked lethargic in their defeat by Coventry on Thursday and they're going to have to find a way to raise their levels today if they're to get the result they need.

Nearly a great start for Blues.

Lukas Jutkiewicz, making his 500th career appearance today, gets his head on to a deep cross after 19 seconds but it goes over the crossbar.

After a minute's silence in memory of Prince Philip who died earlier this month at the age of 99 it is the visitors who get us under way.

Image source, BBC Sport

Both Sheffield Wednesday and Wycombe conceded late equalisers yesterday to all-but end their hopes of staying in the Championship for next season.

Realistically then there's only one relegation spot left to be avoided in the second tier and four teams trying to make sure they're not the one occupying it when the lights come on.

Derby have lost form at just the wrong time and are now just four points above Rotherham, having played three games more.

However, at this stage of the season it's about points on the board, not games in hand and the Millers have got to get a positive result today if they're to put the Rams under real pressure.

Birmingham have won three of Lee Bowyer's five games in charge and a win today would pretty much be enough for them to be in the second tier again next season.

Rotherham make three changes from the flat display that saw them lose 1-0 at home to Coventry on Thursday, with striker Freddie Ladapo one of those to return to the starting line-up.Birmingham, who have had eight days off since their last game, make one change from the XI that started the 2-0 win over Stoke. Riley McGree comes in for the injured Alen Halilovic.

Rotherham XI: Johansson, Harding, Ihiekwe, Wood, A. MacDonald, Robertson, S. MacDonald, Wing, Crooks, Ladapo, Smith.

Substitutes: Blackman, Olosunde, Giles, Wiles, Lindsay, Barlaser, Sadlier, Ogbene, Hirst.

Birmingham XI: Etheridge, Colin, Roberts, Dean, Pedersen, Seddon, Sunjic, Gardner, McGree, Leko, Jutkiewicz.

Substitutes: Trueman, Friend, San José, Harper, Bela, Sánchez, Miller, Hogan, Cosgrove.

Image source, Rex Features

Four games in nine days is a punishing schedule by anyone's standards but when three of those are against your relegation rivals at the end of a truncated season? That's really tough.

That's the exact scenario Rotherham are in and their results so far of one win, one draw and one defeat haven't done all that much for their chances of staying in the Championship.

They host an improving Blues who, you would have to feel, would be almost safe with three points at the New York Stadium today.

Straight after we're wrapped on this one we'll be heading over to Birmingham's St Andrew's ground where Coventry, who beat the Millers on Thursday to boost their survival bid, host play-off chasing Barnsley.

Let's get to it.