Former Nottingham Forest and Leeds United midfielder David Prutton believes Burton Albion will suffer defeat at the hands of Birmingham City tonight and end the weekend still without a point to their name.

Prutton, now working as a pundit for Sky Sports after his retirement from the game in 2014, reckons Blues striker Clayton Donaldson will prove the matchwinner and grab the only goal in a 1-0 triumph at the Pirelli Stadium for the visitors.

It is an interesting prediction from Prutton, given City were one of only two sides - the other being Rotherham United - that Burton did the double over last term.

Having beaten Birmingham 2-0 at the Pirelli back in October, it was a 2-0 win at St Andrew's in April that spelled the end for then-manager Gianfranco Zola.

He resigned post-match after Lloyd Dyer and Lucas Akins set the Brewers onto a memorable win that helped ensure Championship safety.

Birmingham suffered a 2-0 defeat to the Brewers at the Pirelli Stadium last term
Birmingham suffered a 2-0 defeat to the Brewers at the Pirelli Stadium last term

Harry Redknapp was parachuted in and managed to secure Birmingham's own Championship status, and expectations at St Andrew's have risen with Redknapp's decision to stay on this term.

The Brewers, however, desperately need a win at the Pirelli against Redknapp's side to kick-start a season that has started with three straight league defeats - most recently a 2-0 loss to Middlesbrough on Tuesday night.

Birmingham City manager Harry Redknapp has revitalised the Blues
Birmingham City manager Harry Redknapp has revitalised the Blues

"Burton are already in a position where you feel they need something here," Prutton told Sky Sports.

"They've had a terrible start and, looking forward, their fixtures don't get any easier after this.

"They're always going to be underdogs, but their home form kept them up last season and you feel that will be key for them again.

"Birmingham have had a solid start with four points from their first three games, and I think they'll nick a win at the Pirelli."