REF’s picks

Birmingham City hold the upper hand here as they return to St Andrew's to face a struggling Preston side sitting at the foot of the table. The Blues have shown resilience at home despite recent inconsistencies, whereas Preston's dismal away form and porous defence leave them vulnerable against an attacking home setup.

1. 1Birmingham benefit from strong home backing and a superior league position compared to winless-on-the-road Preston.
2. 2Preston's leaky backline struggles to contain sustained pressure, giving the hosts plenty of openings.
3. 3The Blues have occasionally stumbled defensively when pressed on the counter, leaving room for an upset if Preston find their scoring boots.

REF's own opinion, not a guarantee — nothing here is financial or betting advice, and the call is always yours.