Birmingham City make their first away trip in two weeks on Saturday as they head north to take on relegation battlers Huddersfield Town. In an unexpected twist this week, legendary head coach Neil Warnock made a shock return to The Terriers – months after announcing his intention to retire from management.
Town need a boost and they will undoubtedly be thrust with some extra motivation as Warnock is renowned for his no-nonsense approach. Birmingham may have to rethink their approach slightly as they would have originally expected to face interim manager Narcis Pelach. Now, they take on a different kettle of fish.
Warnock has not had long to get to know his new players but every individual in that squad will now have to fight for a place in the team. Having guided Huddersfield to promotion in 1995, the club means plenty to the 74-year-old, who has come out of hiding for the sole purpose of keeping his former side afloat in the English second tier.
Blues head into the game on the back of a surprise 2-0 defeat to Cardiff City, who managed their first Championship win since Bonfire Night. John Eustace’s side looked as if they had finally found their good form again having beaten Swansea City 4-3 and West Bromwich Albion 2-0, but they faced quite the setback at St Andrew’s on Tuesday night.
This weekend’s visitors will be keen to bounce back from that particular disappointment as they look to soar back up toward the top half reckoning. Eustace has switched between a back three and a back four of late, but with such a terrible showing going forward last time out, we think he will revert to a trio of defenders.
With that in mind, here is the starting XI we think Birmingham will go with on Saturday, in a 3-5-2 formation. See below.
Warnock has not had long to get to know his new players but every individual in that squad will now have to fight for a place in the team. Having guided Huddersfield to promotion in 1995, the club means plenty to the 74-year-old, who has come out of hiding for the sole purpose of keeping his former side afloat in the English second tier.
5. RWB: Maxime Colin
With Dean stepping into a back three, it makes sense for Colin to stay in his secondary position as a right wing-back.
6. LWB: Emmanuel Longelo
Now back from an illness and raring to go in the left wing-back position. Has often played well there this season.
7. CM: Krystian Bielik
One of the better players in the defeat to Cardiff, just a few days earlier Bielik starred as Blues beat West Brom.
8. CM: Hannibal Mejbri
Scored a wonderful goal in the win over the Baggies but then had a poor showing last time out. Eustace will be hoping for a good response from the Tunisian.