Albion player of the season favourite Matt Upson is hoping for a home form transformation tonight from former club Birmingham to widen the Seagulls' play-off prospects.

The veteran centre-half played in the Premier League for relegation-threatened Birmingham, who are chasing a first victory at St Andrew's since October against play-off chasing Wigan.

Defeat for Wigan in their game in hand would leave Albion needing to better their result on Saturday, when the Seagulls go to Nottingham Forest and the Latics face a Lancashire derby at Blackburn.

Rovers will still have a mathematical chance of reaching the play-offs themselves if Wigan lose tonight.

A draw for last season's relegated FA Cup winners would mean Albion have to beat Forest and hope Wigan draw or lose at Blackburn in order to finish above them.

If Wigan win they are guaranteed to finish in the play-offs in fifth or sixth spot, leaving Albion to fight it out on the final day with Reading, at home to Burnley.

Albion's awards dinner is staged at the Amex tonight.