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Key Battles: Birmingham City vs Reading FC

The key battles as Reading look for their first away win since the beginning of January, while Birmingham look for their first win under manager Gianfranco Zola.

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Lucas Jutkiewicz vs Liam Moore

The 27 year old has recently made a permanent move to St Andrews following a loan spell earlier this season. Since signing from Burnley, Jutkiewicz  has scored nine goals in 22 appearances and could have got into double figures if his headed effort against Norwich at the weekend had been six inches lower of the crossbar.

Jutkiewicz is an excellent header of the ball and will be looking to use that asset when his side squares off against an inform Reading side.

Hoping to stop the former Burnley and Middlesbrough forward will be Liam Moore, the centre back has been on the receiving end of two penalty decisions in the last two games. Firstly Chris Martin's for Fulham and secondly Joe Ralls' for Cardiff.

Luckily for the Royals these decisions have not cost his team any points, but he'll need to aware of the threat that Jutkiewicz brings.

Here's Jutkiewicz demonstrating his aerial ability in Birmingham 2-1 defeat at home to Brighton:

Craig Gardner vs Danny Williams

The 30 year old is currently on loan at Birmingham having re-joined the Blues from West Brom in the middle of the transfer window. Gardner is yet to make an impact with the Blues as he gets used to being back at St Andrews.

However, on his day the centre midfielder can cause problems, this was evident as last season whilst playing Premier League football Gardner got three goals and three assists in 34 appearances, with one of his goals coming against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Looking to stop Gardner with his physical approach will be Danny Williams, the American is known for breaking up play and stopping players from dictating the play in their side's favour.

Williams is also known for being able to drive forward and spearhead attacks for his side, something that could be vital as Reading look for their first away win since the beginning of January.

Here are Craig Gardner's best bits in a Birmingham City shirt.

Ryan Shotton vs Yann Kermorgant

The centre back, who was signed on a permanent deal from fellow Championship side Derby in the summer, has played every game for the Blues so far this season, keeping seven clean sheets in 28 appearances and scoring two goals.

It is worth noting that whilst on loan with Birmingham last season Shotton scored only one goal, against you name it - Reading - in their win at the Madejski.

Yann Kermorgant could be the man that Shotton comes up against, the striker should be full of confidence having bagged the vital winner against Cardiff last time out with a wonderfully-struck free kick. With Kermorgant now on eight goals for the season, the Frenchman will be pushing to be the one ending the night as the club's top goal-scorer.

However, he will be up against a tough Birmingham side who are looking for their first win under manager Gianfranco Zola.