Birmingham City are in Sky Bet Championship action for the first time in 2024 as they take on Leeds United at Elland Road on New Year's Day. Wayne Rooney's side are desperate for a positive result after a disappointing run of four games without a win – including a lacklustre 0-0 draw with Bristol City on Friday.
It's going to be incredibly tough to get three points this time around, however, as Leeds see the fixture as a must-win following three defeats in their last five outings. Daniel Farke's men lost 1-0 to West Bromwich Albion on Friday evening and will be looking for an instant response against Blues.
Rooney is getting more and more under pressure the closer Birmingham move to the relegation zone, with just seven points now the gap to Queens Park Rangers in 22nd. Blues are 20th – a huge 14 spots below where they impressively stood when John Eustace was sacked on October 9.
Although the result wasn't overly positive, the returns of Cody Drameh, Keshi Anderson and Tyler Roberts against Bristol were welcomed by Bluenoses. Rooney now has more room to tinker with his XI and we reckon he will do just that. With that in mind, here's the lineup we think Blues will go with.
1. GK: John Ruddy
Ruddy kept a much-needed clean sheet against Bristol City but didn’t have a single save to make. His poor passing out from the back means a start for Etheridge might not be too far away. | Getty Images
2. RB: Emanuel Aiwu
Aiwu looks far more comfortable in the centre than he does at right-back, but he might have to shift to full-back. | Getty Images
3. CB: Kevin Long
Amongst the substitute's against Bristol City on Friday. He could start given the injury to Marc Roberts, and Cody Drameh being unavailable due to a loan agreement. | Getty Images
4. CB: Dion Sanderson
The skipper made a big error at Plymouth but he sured up last time out, helping his side to a shut-out. | Getty Images