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.
5. LB: Emmanuel Longelo
Longelo isn’t the best at left-back – it’s clear to see – but with Buchanan out injured there aren’t many other options for Blues. | Getty Images
6. CM: Ivan Sunjic
The Croatian has made five successive starts. He’s at risk of losing his spot when Bielik’s back but he stays in for now. | Getty Images
7. CM: Jordan James
James has been better as an eight recently but has to step into the six role while Bielik serves his suspension. | Getty Images
8. CAM: Juninho Bacuna
Bacuna featured in James’ favoured position and did fairly well against Bristol as he was Blues’ biggest threat. That wasn’t difficult, mind, as Birmingham hardly attacked. | Getty Images