Controversial striker pick as wonderkid returns - Birmingham City predicted starting XI vs QPR - gallery

Birmingham City are back in Sky Bet Championship action for the final time before the international break on Saturday, as they head south to take on Queens Park Rangers. Deemed a huge six-pointer clash at the bottom of the table, the result could have big ramifications for both sides – as well as those in and around them.

Last time out, Blues fell to a heavy 3-0 defeat at Watford midweek, whereas QPR were absolutely thrashed by Blackpool. The Tangerines, who are 22nd in the table, managed a 6-1 victory over Gareth Ainsworth’s men to put pressure not only on the defeated Rs but also on Birmingham.

Blackpool are now the team to worry about it seems, as they will no doubt take heaps of confidence from their dominant win at Bloomfield Road. The flip of the coin makes for great reading for Blues, though, as QPR will now be depleted just before this weekend’s clash at Loftus Road.

On the team news front, John Eustace is set to welcome back Juninho Bacuna to the matchday squad following a two-match suspension but captain Troy Deeney and defender Dion Sanderson are set for extended periods on the sidelines. QPR also have a few concerns to contend with, so there’s some balance in that regard.

Given the importance of the game, Birmingham will likely field as strong a team as possible in the capital. This is especially the case with the majority of Eustace’s men set for a rest during the internationals. With that in mind, here is the starting XI we think Blues will go with, in a 3-5-2 formation.