On Wednesday Reading will look to return to winning ways against struggling Birmingham City at St Andrews.

Below we look at everything you need to know about Blues before the match.

Recent Form

In a controversial week at St Andrews, former manager Aitor Karanka was dismissed and ex- Charlton Athletic boss Lee Bowyer has replaced him.

Winless in four, Birmingham still sit dangerously close to the relegation zone just three points clear of Rotherham United, who have three games in hand over newly appointed Bowyer’s side.

Having scored just once in the last three matches, goal scoring is the issue for the Second City-based side, with only three sides having scored less than their season total of 26.

READ MORE: Behind Enemy Lines: A closer look at Birmingham City

A goals against tally of 46 is just above the bottom half average of 44, but a goal difference of -20 is the joint-second worst in the division, worsened only by bottom club Wycombe Wanderers.

Similarly the side have won just eight of their 36 matches so far this season, worsened only by the Chairboys.

Last time out the side were comfortable losers against Nigel Pearson’s Bristol City, a 3-0 defeat with goals from Kasey Palmer, Antoine Semenyo and Callum O’Dowda.

However they did beat the Royals in the first fixture at the Madejski, the final time 2,000 supporters were allowed in the stadium, 2-1 with a Jon Toral double enough to win in Berkshire in December.

READ MORE: Royals defender overlooked for international squad despite impressive campaign

Overall the two sides have met 42 times, the first back in Division Two in 1986, a 2-2 draw at Elm Park.

Birmingham lead the way with 16 wins to Reading’s 14.

Team News

Veljko Paunovic may opt to start Ivorian Yakou Meite after his equalising goal off of the bench in the last game against Nottingham Forest.

Other key players such as Andy Rinohmota and Ovie Ejaira will be subject to late decisions regarding their fitness to play some part, although Paunovic admitted it was unlikely to see either in the squad.

As with the introduction of any new manager, the side may well be very different to the last squad.

However there are no fresh injuries or suspensions for the side to contend with.

Key Player

A squad packed full of experienced professionals in the division, however it is two of the fresher faces to the Championship that are making the impact.

Wide-men Jeremie Bela and Ivan Sanchez have played less than 100 league games for Blues between them, but this season both lead the way with eight goal contributions each.

Former Aston Villa and Brentford striker Scott Hogan, who notched against Reading at St Andrew’s last season, has six goals to his name and is the sides leading scorer.

How to Watch

The game is being broadcast live on Sky Sports and so will not be available to stream on iFollow in the UK.

Odds

According to Sky Bet at time of writing, Birmingham are 5/2 for a win, Reading 6/5 and a draw is 21/10.