This evening seems the resumption of Championship football after the two-week interval to facilitate the international fixtures.

Second tier football starts up again with a derby between West Bromwich Albion and Birmingham City at the Hawthorns.

Caretaker manager for the Baggies Jimmy Shan is heading into his third game at the helm having won his last two since taking over from Darren Moore.

Albion are fourth in the table and are all but set for a play-off campaign when the season ends.

Birmingham, meanwhile, will line up for the first time since their nine-point deduction with Garry Monk hoping for an upturn in form.

The Blues have lost their last four in a row, wining one of their previous six and are now in the cusp of a relegation battle.

There’s more than just three points up for grabs this evening, there’s also bragging points for the victors.

Prior to the fixture being played out, Sky Sports sourced a prediction from David Prutton on the outcome of the match.

The EFL presenter said: “Birmingham have had the points deduction they were expecting for a while and now their season has a totally different look to it.

“They are staring over their shoulders rather than at the sides ahead of them.

“It is two wins from two now since West Brom sacked Darren Moore.

“I am not convinced there is long enough left for them to catch up with the sides ahead of them and I have a feeling they will be held at The Hawthorns on Friday night, 2-2.”

The verdict

This is an interesting contest with Shan in charge for what could be his final game as caretaker manager.

He comes up against a Birmingham side fresh off a nine-point deduction.

Will West Brom add to their unbeaten run? Or will the Blues start to claw back some of the points they lost this past week.

I think the Baggies will edge this, however, being that they are at home on a Friday night and they tend to not lose on those occasions.