On New Year’s Day, 2024, Birmingham City will play their debut Sky Bet Championship match at Elland Road against Leeds United. After a poor run of four games without a win, which included a lackluster 0-0 draw with Bristol City on Friday, Wayne Rooney’s team is eager for a win.
It will be extremely difficult to win this time around, though, as Leeds see the match as a must-win after suffering three losses in their previous five games. After suffering a 1-0 loss to West Bromwich Albion on Friday night, Daniel Farke’s team will be hoping for an immediate response against the Blues.
The closer Birmingham gets to the relegation zone—with just seven points separating them from Queens Park Rangers in 22nd place—the more pressure Rooney is under. The Blues are currently ranked 20th, an astounding 14 places lower than when John Eustace was fired on October 9.
The Bluenoses were happy to see Cody Drameh, Keshi Anderson, and Tyler Roberts back in action against Bristol, despite the outcome not being particularly encouraging. Rooney now has greater flexibility to adjust his starting lineup, and we believe he will. Here is the lineup that we believe the Blues will choose in light of that.
1. GK: John Ruddy
Ruddy did not need to make a single save as he maintained a much-needed clean sheet against Bristol City. His pathetic collapse from the back suggests that Etheridge’s breakthrough may not be far off.
2. RB: Cody Drameh
Friday saw Drameh make his XI comeback following several weeks out due to an ankle injury. In most games he’s fit for, he’s sure to start.
3. CB: Dion Sanderson
The captain made a huge mistake in Plymouth, but he corrected it the following outing, leading his team to a shutout.
4. CB: Emanuel Aiwu
Aiwu appears to be significantly more at ease in the center than at right back. Because of his pace, the Austrian ranks higher in the rankings than Roberts and Long.