Here’s the Birmingham City lineup we think will face Sunderland in the Sky Bet Championship on Saturday.
Birmingham City head back out on the road on Saturday as they take on Sunderland away from home at half past midday. Still without a win in four matches since Wayne Rooney took charge, Blues will be desperate to give their fans something to cheer at the Stadium of Light.
A huge improvement was shown last time out as Birmingham went 2-0 up against Championship title challengers Ipswich Town. Tiring legs cost Rooney his first victory, however, as the Tractor Boys scored two goals at the death to bring the score level and snatch a point.
It will be tough to do so as Sunderland are a good side, but Blues will be eager to go one step further on Saturday. The Black Cats, who have won just one of their last three matches, are currently four points ahead of Birmingham. They too will be hoping to put things right.
Rooney experimented with a change in formation last weekend, forming a 4-4-2 out of possession and a 4-2-2-2 diamond when in attack. We reckon, due to its success, the manager will try it once again. With that in mind, here are the 11 players we think will start this weekend.
1. GK: John Ruddy
Remains the number one choice between the sticks, even despite conceding plenty recently. Things could’ve been much worse if it wasn’t for Ruddy.
2. RB: Ethan Laird
Blues’ best player last time out and it came as no coincidence that Ipswich scored both their goals when he left the field. Undroppable when fit.
3. CB: Dion Sanderson
Although the skipper leading the time throughout such torrid form, it’s not through fault of his own. Sanderson remains as one of the first names on the team sheet.
4. CB: Emanuel Aiwu
Should keep his place alongside Sanderson after two consecutive starts. Kevin Long will likely become a backup for the foreseeable future.
9. LM: Koji Miyoshi
Performing a similar role to Bacuna, Miyoshi goes out to the front left of the diamond. Works well in that position but needs to be a bit quicker with his decision making.
10. ST: Oliver Burke
Having seen Burke out on the wing plenty during his first few games at the club, it was a little unusual to see him as a striker last time out but it worked very well.
11. ST: Jay Stansfield
With goals in successive games, Stansfield is bound to have done enough to convince Rooney to start him ahead of Scott Hogan every week.
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