Fan favourite starts as Chris Davies rotates heavily in Carabao Cup - Birmingham City predicted XI vs Charlton

Chris Davies’ side travel to The Valley for the first round of the competition, eager to progress far after disappointments in recent seasons. Blues, who famously won the competition in 2011 with a 2-1 win over Arsenal at Wembley Stadium, haven’t made it past the second round since 2015.

Although eager to bat off Charlton for a place in the next phase, Birmingham are likely to rotate a great deal this midweek. Cup competitions are generally used for that exact purpose anyway, but it’s even more likely given Davies is still getting to grips with his new squad.

Changes in all areas of the field are expected, giving fringe players and young prospects opportunities to impress in the bid of making it into first-team reckoning for League One. Davies admittedly might not go for that approach, but it’s likely. With that in mind, here’s the XI we reckon Blues will name.

Birmingham City predicted XI vs Charlton Athletic

GK - Ryan Allsop

Allsop has been playing second fiddle to fellow signing Bailey Peacock-Farrell so far but is likely to get the nod in the cup fixtures.

RB - Brandon Khela

The 19-year-old has enjoyed several cameos lately, coming on in an auxiliary right-back role. This is a great opportunity to impress from the start.

CB - Dion Sanderson

Sanderson has stepped up with a point to prove since being rightfully stripped of the captaincy. The former Wolves man has looked sharp.

CB - Christoph Klarer

The Austrian, physically dominant in most cases, is an excellent option to call upon for rotation. This is an opening for Krystian Bielik to have a rest, too.

LB - Alex Cochrane

Cochrane, signed from Brighton, has stepped into the starting left-back role during Lee Buchanan’s injury absence. He’ll be a regular over the next couple of months.

CM - Marc Leonard

Leonard didn’t quite get into his stride against Reading, so Davies might keep him in the XI to help build some cohesion with his new teammates.

CM - Luke Harris

The Fulham loanee made his debut on Saturday and added some impetus to Blues’ attacks. With Willum Willumsson a doubt with a knee injury, a start makes sense.

RW - Tyler Roberts

Roberts should be in for a good campaign if he can stay fit and gain some consistency. With so much competition for places, he needs to impress.

LW - Keshi Anderson

Anderson was an excellent impact substitute at the weekend, it just awaits to be seen if he can be relied upon as a starter.

CAM - Romelle Donovan

The 17-year-old is one of the best prospects at the club and is likely to be handed regular chances to progress under Davies.

ST - Lukas Jutkiewicz

The Juke won’t play too often this season but he’s a mightily popular figure and is still clinical when he gets his opportunities.