Birmingham City predicted XI vs Sheffield United: A change at the back, Taylor to keep place

Birmingham City are back at St Andrew’s on Friday evening with an improving Sheffield United side the visitors.

The two faced off on match day one of the campaign with Blues running out 1-0 winners after a 19th minute header from Maxime Colin.

Lots has changed since that day, though.

Both sides have had a whole host of change on the personnel front with the Blades even seeing plenty of alterations among the staff too.

Slavisa Jokanovic was in the dugout at Bramall Lane back in August but after being given the boot in November, Paul Heckingbottom has since taken charge and steered United onto a more positive path.

Tahith Chong was man-of-the-match during the first meeting and he will of course miss the rematch as he continues his rehabilitation from his groin injury.

Regardless of the amount of change the two have seen, though, Blues will be hoping for a similar outcome at around 22:00 on Friday evening.

Formation

4-3-1-2.

If it’s not broke, don’t fix it.

For 70 minutes against Derby County it was arguably the most assured Blues performance of the season.

They created a whole host of chances and this formation allowed them to get all their latest attacking additions involved. I see no reason to alter it.

Goalkeeper

Neil Etheridge’s place is under no threat and he will start in the sticks.

Defence

Maxime Colin and Kristian Pedersen are pretty much guaranteed starters from here on out unless an injury occurs.

They are the only two natural full-backs within the squad with nobody behind them to challenge them for their spots.

Centrally they aren’t much better off. Teden Mengi looks nailed on to start out of the three centre-backs and I think George Friend may get his chance to partner him on Friday.

Midfield

Ryan Woods has looked back to his early season form in recent weeks and Blues lost so much of their authority on the game with Derby once he was substituted.

Juninho Bacuna had a really solid debut and will be hoping he can put in a similar display when he takes the field at St Andrew’s for the first time.

Gary Gardner has looked better in the last two games and should retain his spot alongside the two.

Attack

It was nice to see Onel Hernandez playing in a more free role behind the strikers at Pride Park. He looked a constant threat when he got the ball and was allowed to drift on to either wing throughout the game. Expecting a similar role for him on Friday.

The partnership between Lyle Taylor and Scott Hogan looked like it had been there a lifetime. Both found the net on the day and could have had more. With a few more days training between them - let’s hope we see more.

(4-3-1-2): Etheridge; Colin, Friend, Mengi, Pedersen; Bacuna, Gardner, Woods; Hernandez; Taylor, Hogan

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