£1m striker starts, four changes made, and two-goal star dropped - Birmingham City predicted XI v Sutton United

Birmingham City turn their attentions to the Emirates FA Cup as they face Sutton United at Gander Green Lane on Sunday, November 3 in front of the ITV television cameras.

Blues made easy work of Fulham’s under-21s on Tuesday night, beating them 7-1 in the EFL Trophy. There’s one more league game to come after facing Sutton on Sunday ahead of the international break, and Chris Davies will be tasked with making some key decisions when it comes to his team selection.

There are two divisions and 69 places in the English pyramid system that separate Birmingham and Sutton. Birmingham have various options in different areas of the pitch, and so it’s a hard task keeping everyone happy.

Davies could go full strength and make sure that Birmingham are through to the next round or he could give some fringe players an opportunity. Jay Stansfield for example was given a chance on Tuesday, and he’s one of the first names on the team sheet. Could we see him start or again, or should there be a different looking attack?

Birmingham City predicted XI v Sutton United

GK: Bailey Peacock-Farrell

The 28-year-old was first choice goalkeeper at the start of the season and then Ryan Allsop displaced him. With no disrespect to Sutton, Peacock-Farrell might be afforded a second consecutive start, so he can continue to get his confidence back.

RB: Ethan Laird

Laird is building his match fitness up after missing all of September, and a large chunk of October. He started two league matches, but then made way for Alfons Sampsted on Tuesday. Expect him to come back in.

CB: Dion Sanderson

Not played a league game since the opening day of the season. Sanderson has been limited to the cup competitions, and has been an unused substitute for the last three league games. Perhaps he'd benefit from playing in the FA Cup, with the league the priority.

CB: Ben Davies

Since replacing Krystian Bielik, he’s been given an opportunity, and he's taken that with both hands.

LB: Alex Cochrane

With Buchanan injured, Cochrane isn't facing much competition for that left-back berth. Expect Cochrane to continue, as he’s one of Chris Davies’ trusted lieutenants.

CM: Marc Leonard

He's not had as many starts in the league as he would have liked so it might be worth giving him another start. Tomoki Iwata and Paik Seung-ho is Birmingham's first choice centre midfield partnership, but with at least one more League One fixture to come, it might be good to keep them fresh, and introduce them from the bench if needed.

CM: Taylor Gardner-Hickman

Gardner-Hickman’s versatility is a brilliant attribute to have for a player. He's mainly played at right-back, but he should continue to get another chance in the centre of the park.

RM: Keshi Anderson

Got a goal last time out against Fulham, and an assist against Mansfield Town.

CAM: Luke Harris

He was unable to play against his parent club on Tuesday, and was only just coming back from injury. Harris was able to get 19 minutes against Mansfield Town, and it would be good to give him a start.

LM: Ayumu Yokoyama

The 21-year-old got two goals last time out against Fulham. With no starts in the league still, a start in the FA Cup would be a good way to allowing Yokoyama to continue his form.

ST: Lyndon Dykes

In his tenth game, Dykes finally has a goal for Birmingham. He scored late on against Fulham and that will do him the world of good. Dykes led the line against Mansfield Town but dropped to the bench on Tuesday, and so maybe the Scotland striker should start from the off again, so he can try and put a scoring run together.