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Blues are one of the division’s form sides having embarked on a 10-game unbeaten run that put them within touching distance of both Southampton and West Ham United. They have dropped off the pace a little in recent weeks but that is mainly down to a postponed match and last weekend’s FA Cup tie with Chelsea, although the draw at home to Hull City was hardly helpful.

You would expect them to get back on track in Tuesday’s rearranged trip to Barnsley, and confidence will be high after the held Chelsea at Stamford Bridge this past weekend. A win here could see them climb back up to third place in the standings, and Birmingham City are understandably favourites to return to St Andrew’s with three points in the bag (Match Odds – Barnsley 13/5, Draw 12/5 Birmingham City 6/5 @ BetVictor).

However, it is worth noting that their away record is far from sparkling. In fact, Blues have earned less points on the road then any of the other teams in the top six. Chris Hughton’s men will probably be aware of that and will be looking to right that wrong as they bid to make an immediate return to the Premier League (To Be Promoted 21/19 @ bet365).

A major factor in their failure to pick up too many points on the road is their defensive record. While impressive on their home turf, conceding just six times in the league season, Blues have shipped 21 on their travels and that would suggest that Barnsley will have opportunities to take something from this game. They also take confidence from the fact they earned a 1-1 draw when these two teams met in the Midlands earlier this season (1-1 Draw 6/1 @ Blue Square).

Leading goalscorer Ricardo Vaz Te may have moved on to pastures new, but the Tykes still have goals in them in the form of Craig Davies (11/5 anytime goalscorer @ bet365) and Andy Gray (12/5 anytime goalscorer @ SkyBet), and boss Keith Hill will need them to have their shooting boots on if they are to deny Birmingham all three points.

Both Teams To Score – Yes 4/5 @ William Hill