Here’s how we think Birmingham City’s lineup will look against Southampton in the Sky Bet Championship.
Birmingham City return to home ground on Saturday afternoon as they face automatic promotion contenders Southampton in the Sky Bet Championship.
Mark Venus’ men suffered a 3-1 defeat the last time out as the trip to Ipswich Town, another promotion contender, proved too difficult. Despite winning the previous two games, the Blues are presently only three points above the relegation zone.
A game in hand against Middlesbrough in a few weeks could be critical to getting out of trouble, but the focus will now be on Southampton. The Saints looked unbeatable in December and January, but they’ve suffered a little in recent weeks, losing three of their last five games.
Birmingham will still struggle to get anything out of this game, as an amazing performance is necessary. A slew of injury returnees this week, combined with Venus’ more selection options, should help the Blues’ chances.
Here are the 11 players we predict will start for Blues at St Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park on Saturday, in a 4-2-3-1 formation.
GK: John Ruddy
Ruddy will be disappointed he conceded three last time out but it was just the one let in throughout the two games previous.
RB: Cody Drameh
Drameh has been an excellent signing on loan from Leeds United. This will be another good test for the full-back, up against talented forwards.
CB: Krystian Bielik
CB: Dion Sanderson
The skipper arrived back into the lineup at Portman Road and did an alright job, albeit not his best afternoon.
LB: Ethan Laird
Laird has been favoured to Lee Buchanan in recent weeks, with the latter hardly getting any game time whatsoever.
CM: Seung-ho Paik
Paik has been one of the best players on the pitch in two or the three matches he’s started for Blues so far. The South Korean oozes class.
CM: Andre Dozzell
Dozzell didn’t exactly set the world alight against his former side, Ipswich, but his partnership with Paik is showing signs of real promise.
CAM: Alex Pritchard
Pritchard is finally ready to start again following the injury he picked up on his debut, against West Brom. Tyler Roberts, meanwhile, has struggled and is axed.
RW: Koji Miyoshi
Miyoshi has been Blues’ best creator for a while now and that showed again as the Japanese assisted Jordan James’ goal at Ipswich.
LW: Jordan James
James has been enjoying a new role over on the left flank. The Welshman scored his eighth goal of the season last weekend.
ST: Jay Stansfield
Stansfield is suffering from quite the goal drought, with his last goal coming seven games ago. His pace on the counter-attack could be vital against the Saints, though.
