New role for Willum Willumsson as ‘heroic’ defender starts - Birmingham City predicted XI vs Wigan Athletic

Birmingham are back in Sky Bet League One action this weekend as they head away to Wigan Athletic on Saturday afternoon.

Blues are without a win in their last two outings having drawn against Stockport County and Blackpool but Chris Davies’ side are still in great form as they’re unbeaten in 10 matches across all competitions. The last time Birmingham tasted defeat was on November 23 as they lost 3-2 away at Shrewsbury Town.

The sharing of points last time out saw Blues drop to second in the English third tier standings but they can reclaim top spot with a victory this weekend. It’s not the most ideal time to play Wigan as they’ve won two of their last five but Davies and his men will still fancy their chances against 16th in the league.

On the injury news front, four Birmingham players are unavailable for the trip to Brick Community Stadium. Wide attackers Keshi Anderson and Emil Hansson are both out for several weeks with muscular issues while Alfons Sampsted (ankle) and Lee Buchanan (knee) will be sidelined for longer.

With all of that considered, here’s the starting XI we think Davies will name in Lancashire.

Birmingham City predicted lineup vs Wigan

GK - Ryan Allsop

The boyhood Bluenose is now the first choice goalkeeper following a host of errors from Bailey Peacock-Farrell at the beginning of the campaign.

RB - Krystian Bielik

The captain has been utilised in an unfamiliar right-back role over the last couple of months and he’s played well, justifying Davies’ decision.

CB - Christoph Klarer

Heroic against Stockport, Klarer has proven himself as one of the best central defenders in the division since signing from Darmstadt in the summer.

CB - Ben Davies

The manager’s namesake has delivered when called upon and deserves to start once again for Blues. The Rangers loanee has settled in impeccably well.

LB - Alex Cochrane

Cochrane is expected to start most games for the time being as Lee Buchanan is out with what seems to be another serious injury.

CM - Tomoki Iwata

Iwata couldn’t have wished for a better start to his Blues career but he did suffer away at Stockport. Davies will want an improved display.

CM - Paik Seung-ho

Paik’s presence of mind in and out of possession makes him one of the best midfielders in League One. He too struggled last time out, though.

RW - Willum Willumsson

‘Thor’ has been starting as the number 10 recently but he move back across into the right inside forward role, where he was terrific at the start of the campaign.

CAM - Luke Harris

The Fulham loanee has been hot and cold this season but could come in for a start as Davies rotates slightly. Implementing fresh legs is rarely a bad idea.

LW - Jay Stansfield

It doesn’t really matter where Stansfield plays, he always has an impact. With Willumsson on the right and Harris central, the left flank is available.

ST - Alfie May

May, last season’s Golden Boot winner, has scored eight goals and made four assists in 22 League One games this term. One of those was a cracker at Stockport.