We look at three individual battles that could help determine the result of Saturday's clash...
Dean Whitehead v Jon-Miquel Toral
Sky Bet Championship - Huddersfield Town (0) v Middlesbrough (2) - Dean Whitehead.
Birmingham City were quick to snap up former Barcelona youth product Jon-Miquel Toral on a season-long loan from Arsenal and it has paid dividents.
The 20-year-old has four goals and one assist in his ten starts for the Blues, and is just one goal shy of top scorer Clayton Donaldson's strike tally.
Donaldson is out until the New Year and James Vaughan is ineligible - meaning a lot of the burden will fall squarely on the shoulders of the 20-year-old attacking midfielder and Town will be looking to the experienced head of Dean Whitehead to stop him in his tracks.
His leadership and physical presence just in front of the back four will be vital in stemming the threat of Toral, and protecting the Huddersfield back line from his through balls.
Pictures in the Sky Bet championship match at St Andrews, Birmingham, between Birmingham City and Rotherham United is Jon Toral and Richard Smallwood
Whitehead's committed approach has already earned him a suspension this term from cumulative yellow cards. His willingness to tackle and win duels with Toral will be crucial to the Terriers' chances of success, but equally he must be careful not to stray too far to the wrong side of the disciplinary tightrope.
Wagner was forced to withdraw Whitehead against Sheffield Wednesday due to fears of a sending off. It's vital he remains on the pitch at St Andrew's.
Ben Chilwell v Jacques Maghoma
Sky Bet Championship - Huddersfield Town (0) v Middlesbrough (2) - Ben Chilwell.
Crosses and through balls are a key part of Birmingham's attack this year under Gary Rowett, and wingers Jacques Maghoma on the right and Demarai Gray on the opposite side have each caught the eye.
However, the Blues are more dominant down Maghoma's wing, with 43% of their attacks coming down the right, pointing to a busy afternoon for Huddersfield's left back.
Leicester loanee Ben Chilwell made his professional league debut in the position against Middlesbrough, and slotted in seemlessly. His display earned well-deserved plaudits, particularly considering his tender years and lack of experience.
He's likely to win another start at St Andrew's, when he will be facing a 28-year-old with over 200 Football League appearances.
Pictured Blues Jacques Maghoma and Simon Makienok football action from Championship Birmingham City v Charlton
Under David Wagner's system, plenty of emphasis is placed on the role of the full-back. Charged with preventing Maghoma from exerting too much infleunce on the game down the wing, Chilwell will also be expected to get forward in support of his attacking teammates.
His crossing was one of the weaker elements of his Town debut, and he will be hoping for an improvement in that area.
However, he faces a tough ask. Maghoma isn't shy in the tackle and is very conscious of his defensive responsibilities as well as those in the attacking third. If Chilwell can come out on top in this match up, it could give Town the advantage.
Nahki Wells v Jonathan Spector
Sky Bet Championship - Reading (2) v Huddersfied Town (2) - Nahki Wells goal.
Wagner is looking to Nahki Wells to provide the focal point of his new system, but so far he has been unable to find the net under his new boss.
He was extremely unlucky to strike the bar on 10 minutes against Middlesbrough, and if that has been a few inches lower the game could have panned out very differently.
Huddersfield's top scorer will have to find a way past American defender Jonathan Spector on the way to the Birmingham net, who thrives on intercepting the ball before his opposing striker can shoot.
Jonathan Spector football action from the Sky Bet Championship Birmingham City v Reading at St Andrews, Birmingham.
Both Wells and Spector prefer to play on the ground rather than duel in the air, so it will be interesting to see how many crosses Town attempt.
