This is how Birmingham City and Leicester City are anticipated to match up in the Championship.
In the Sky Bet Championship, Birmingham City will welcome championship rivals Leicester City on Monday night when they make their way back to St Andrew’s. After winning 1-0 away at Cardiff City in the middle of the week, Wayne Rooney’s team will be full of confidence, but a more difficult test is now in store.
Leicester leads the league after winning 17 of the last 18 games played, with only three losses all season. Though Ipswich Town is only a goal behind the Foxes, we all saw how wonderfully Blues performed against them around a month ago.
Birmingham will be encouraged by that outcome, but they will need to play at their very best if they want to win even one point, much less three. These 11 players are our picks to start in order to offer Blues the best chance of winning.
1. GK: John Ruddy
Ruddy kept his second clean sheet in three games as Blues won at Cardiff midweek.
2. RB: Emanuel Aiwu
Stepped up to the plate with a fine performance in a new right-back role at Cardiff. Drameh remains a doubt, so he’s unlikely to be risked.
3. CB: Dion Sanderson
The skipper put in one of his best performances for the club last time out.
4. CB: Marc Roberts
Roberts has partnered Sanderson recently and done a good job in doing so.
5. LB: Lee Buchanan
Buchanan, touch wood, appears to be becoming a reliable option at left-back. He’s given Blues some much-needed consistency.
6. CM: Ivan Sunjic
The Croatian came in for a first start in a while and did superbly, guiding Blues in midfield.
7. CM: Krystian Bielik
Bielik looked far more comfortable with Sunjic by his side. Rooney will be hoping for more of the same.
8. CAM: Jordan James
The Welshman put on a brilliant showing in his home nation and deserves to start again, in a slightly more advanced midfield position.
9. RW: Siriki Dembele
Dembele swapped the left flank for the right one against Cardiff and he looked a real threat.
10. LW: Juninho Bacuna
The match-winner in Wales, Bacuna enjoyed playing out on the left wing. He should do so again on Monday.
11. ST: Jay Stansfield
Stansfield can be utilised in an array of positions but is probably best in the more natural, number-nine spot.
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