Birmingham City head out on the road for the final time this season as they make the short trip to Coventry City on Saturday afternoon. Now completely mathematically safe, Blues will be eager to end the campaign on a high and can secure a finish of at least 17th or higher with a win this weekend.
It was a disappointing 1-0 defeat at the hands of relegation battlers Blackpool last time out but there’s been a week of recovery since then. The players will also want to give fans an enjoyable last away trip as around 4,500 Bluenoses will be in attendance.
Coventry won’t make it easy for Birmingham to have a good day out, though, as they’ve still got plenty to play for. Currently in fifth spot with a one-point gap to six and seventh, the Sky Blues will be desperate for a win to boost their hopes of finishing in the play-off spots.
John Eustace revealed on Thursday that four players have come down with sickness ahead of the clash, with just 15 able to train fully. That could make his squad selection rather tricky and, given the head coach didn’t disclose those affected, it makes it tough for us to predict his starting XI. But we’ve given it our best shot.
1. Birmingham City predicted starting lineup vs Coventry City
Here are the 11 players we think John Eustace will start at the Coventry Building Society Arena.
2. GK - Neil Etheridge
Largely untested when he stepped in last weekend but had a brilliant game at Millwall beforehand. With John Ruddy still out, Etheridge stays in the side.
3. RB - Maxime Colin
Continues to prove himself as the best option at right-back. Has now made over 250 appearances for Birmingham.
4. CB - Marc Roberts
Consistently one of the best Blues players since cementing his spot in the starting XI. As long as he’s not one of those down with illness, he’ll stay in the team.