Birmingham at the Summit, Middlesbrough Dependent on Lankshear

Birmingham City are at the top of the Championship under Chris Davies, riding a good run of form. The team has won six of its last seven matches and has lost only twice all season. Billy Sharp said the side only showed this consistency in brief spells last season, but this season they have played more consistently.

Sharp pointed to Birmingham's settled pair of centre-backs and to Liam Millar, who adds extra magic on one flank. Jay Stansfield scored twice in the last match, and Sharp said that when Stansfield scores, he is a player who can win games for Birmingham. Sharp added that he was surprised to see the team at the top, but that Davies has done a great job. He also argued that having eight play-off places pushes teams to play more boldly away from home.

The picture is different at Middlesbrough. After Will Lankshear was injured, the team failed to score in its last two matches. Before the injury, Lankshear had scored 13 goals in 13 Championship matches. Luke Chambers said Middlesbrough depend heavily on Lankshear, and that there is a clear gap in quality between him and the players who step in when he is not on the pitch.