As we see so often, one of football's unwritten laws is at play tonight, with Riley McGree scoring the only goal so far for Middlesbrough.

McGree, of course, had two successful loan spells with Birmingham in the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons, scoring three goals in 28 league games - only for Boro to come in and offer him a permanent deal.

Image source, PA Media

That's that for the first 45 - and as it stands, Middlesbrough are heading for a third successive win and ninth place in the table.

Birmingham will stay 21st and just a point above the bottom three unless they can turn things around in the second half.

The home fans are unimpressed. Blues are booed off the field.

Boro are finishing the first half strongly as they look to increase their advantage.

Emmanuel Latte Lath was just wide with a shot on the turn and there was also an opportunity for Matt Clarke, whose header was off target from a Jonny Howson corner.

Henry Liston
Squad Goals

Let’s see if my prediction - 2-1 to Birmingham - comes true. They need to buck their ideas up.

Image source, Rex Features

Alex Pritchard's hesitation on the ball led to Middlesbrough's goal, so he'll be doing his best to make amends during the remainder of the game as Birmingham chase an equaliser.

There's a good opportunity for him to do so as Paik Seung-Ho creates an opening, but Pritchard stabs his finish wide of the target.

Decent spell from Birmingham since they conceded, but the home side still haven't managed to put together anything that might trouble Seny Dieng.

At the other end, Luke Ayling had a crack at goal that was fielded by John Ruddy without too much drama.

Calvin Andrew
Ex-Rochdale, Mansfield and Port Vale forward on Squad Goals

Luke Ayling has had an effect at Middlesbrough, who went through a tough spell but now seem to be on the right track.

Away from the action, both sets of fans will appreciate this banner wishing Blues boss Tony Mowbray well.

Mowbray, who is currently away from the club due to a medical issue, captained Middlesbrough to promotion and also managed Boro earlier in his career.

Image source, Rex Features

Birmingham are already a goal down and now they've been forced to reshuffle their pack as well, with Marc Roberts picking up a knock.

He's replaced by Cody Drameh, while Boro threaten again through Paddy McNair, appearing in the penalty area again for a shot that's charged down.

Maybe tonight will be the night McNair ends that goal drought? Two attempts already...

This time it's Middlesbrough's turn to go close from distance, with Emmanuel Latte Lath galloping down the left-hand side and playing a ball into the penalty area that's half-cleared to Paddy McNair on the edge of the box.

McNair has a pop at goal, but bends it beyond John Ruddy's left-hand post.

Perhaps no surprise... you'd have to go back 13 months for the last time the Northern Irishman found the net.

Brief alarm at the other end this time, as Alex Pritchard anticipates a stray Boro pass and tries to chip Seny Dieng from about 40 yards... but the midfielder's ambitious attempt flies wide of the post.

Neither side really getting on top so far.

Marcus Forss has scored in both of Middlesbrough's wins over the past week and he's sniffing around for another tonight.

Forss closes down John Ruddy as Marc Roberts presents him with a back-pass, but the Blues keeper gets there first and clears to safety.

Here we go then. Referee Andy Davies sounds a blast on his whistle and the action is under way.

BBC Local Radio

Unfortunately we cannot bring you live radio commentary of tonight's Championship fixture on this page.

However the fine folks at BBC Radio WM and BBC Radio Tees are in position to take you through the action.

If you're in the West Midlands or Teesside catchment areas, grab a radio and tune in.

Otherwise, stick with us and we'll guide you through proceedings.

How do you see tonight's game panning out?

Will Birmingham add a cushion between themselves and the drop zone or is the Middlesbrough play-off push back on track?

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Image source, Rex Features

Jordan James, who scored the last time Birmingham tasted victory in the league, is back in the starting line-up tonight - one of three changes by Blues' caretaker boss Mark Venus.

James replaces Ivan Sunjic, while Ethan Laird and Andre Dozzell also start in place of Cody Drameh and Juninho Bacuna.

Birmingham: Ruddy, Laird, Buchanan, M Roberts, Miyoshi, Paik, Dozzell, James, Stansfield, Pritchard, Aiwu.

Subs: Etheridge, Drameh, Longelo, Sunjic, Gardner, Bacuna, Hall, T Roberts, Jutkiewicz.

Meanwhile, Boro manager Michael Carrick keeps faith with an unchanged line-up - and array of substitutes - for the third consecutive game.

Middlesbrough: Dieng, Van den Berg, Clarke, McGree, Latte Lath, Ayling, Howson, McNair, Forss, Engel, O'Brien.

Subs: Glover, Barlaser, Jones, Gilbert, Dijksteel, Silvera, Azaz, Greenwood, Thomas.

Image source, Getty Images

If Middlesbrough are going to resurrect the play-off hopes that appeared to be stagnating until a week ago, a game against Birmingham would surely have been high on their wish list.

Boro have triumphed in each of their past four meetings with the Blues and nine times out of the past 13 as they head to St Andrew’s with the aim of narrowing the gap on the top six to five points.

Having won just once in seven games – albeit in the shape of an impressive 2-1 success away to league leaders Leicester – Michael Carrick’s men bounced back into contention with back to back victories against Norwich and QPR.

Emmanuel Latte Lath and Marcus Forss both found the net in each of those games and, if they can help Boro to make it three in a row at St Andrew’s, Carrick’s side will climb to ninth place.

Tonight's visitors have been unpredictable away from home of late, winning three and losing two of their past five games on the road.

What a turnaround in Birmingham’s fortunes since the last time they faced Middlesbrough, less than five months ago.

Back on that October evening, Morgan Rogers’ late goal at the Riverside Stadium sentenced the Blues to defeat and nudged them out of the play-off spot they had attained under the recently-sacked John Eustace.

Having plummeted down the table after winning just twice under Eustace’s successor Wayne Rooney, City – with caretaker boss Mark Venus in charge during Tony Mowbray’s temporary absence for medical reasons – find themselves perched one point above the bottom three.

So congested is the bottom half of the Championship, however, that a rare victory over Boro this evening would lift the Blues - who have not won in their last four games - four places up to 17th.

They have managed to beat the Teessiders just once in the sides’ past nine meetings at St Andrew’s – a 2-1 success in the 2019-20 season, which they finished in 20th place. A repeat of both would do just fine for the Birmingham faithful…

Image source, Rex Features

Just a single Championship fixture to bring you this evening, but hopefully we'll find that quality trumps quantity!

It's a game with implications at at least one end of the table - and perhaps both - as Birmingham City, just a point above the bottom three, attempt to haul themselves clear with three vital points.

However, opponents Middlesbrough haven't given up on the play-offs just yet and arrive at St Andrew's seeking their third win on the bounce.

Stay with us for all the action - kick off is in just under 15 minutes...