Preston are at home to Birmingham this evening , in what looks to be a very entertaining match between, these two clubs.

While Preston currently lie sixteenth in the Championship, their form has been impressive recently, losing just one in their last ten games as well as breaking a club record for consecutive clean sheets along the way.

Simon Grayson's men are looking to winning three consecutive games in the Championship for the first time in their history.

Birmingham have lost the last three matches 1-0 at Deepdale, a trend manager Gary Rowett will be hoping to change this evening. However, his side are without a win in four and dropped out of the play-off places at the weekend.

Only five points separate these two sides and they look quite evenly matched lets hope they give us a thrilling game, and do not cancel each other out.

Here are THREE things to look out for tonight.

1) Joe Garner

The Preston front man went the opening 15 games without scoring a goal, has come into form at the right time for Preston as enter the festive period, scoring three goals in his last four games.

The 27-year-old has a terrific record for the Lilywhites, scoring 18 and 25 goals in his previous two seasons and Preston fans will be hoping that he can score the goals to keep them in the division this season.

Birmingham's defence will have to be at its best in order to keep Garner quiet for 90 minutes.

2) Possession

Birmingham have the lowest stats for possession in the Championship this season but they know how to get a result without seeing lots of the ball.

Preston need to careful that they don't switch off if they have long spells of possession because Birmingham have proved that they can still be a danger, as they showed at the weekend as they almost beat Middlesbrough despite being dominated in terms of possession.

Simon Grayson will know that the possession stats will mean nothing if his side fail to stifle Birmingham's lively attackers.

3) Birmingham form

Three losses and one draw is not the form of a team seeking promotion and Birmingham's failure to win in their last four games could cost them in the promotion race.

They need to turn this around before they start losing ground on the other promotion candidates and Gary Rowett will be hoping to start that with a win over Preston.

A win at Preston is a tough ask for Birmingham and the Blues' hopes could hinge on the creativity of Demarai Gray and Jacques Maghoma.

Preston and Birmingham fans...What are your predictions for the match? Can Preston keep another clean sheet? Can Birmingham turn their form around? Let us know what you think in the comments below!