Birmingham City are back in Sky Bet Championship action on Saturday afternoon as they travel northeast to take on Sunderland. Blues hit the 50-point mark last time out with a 0-0 draw at home to Stoke City but they’ll be keen to push on with a more entertaining display this weekend.
Currently nine points clear of the drop, Blues can go 12 clear of the relegation zone with four games to go if they beat The Black Cats and other results go their way. This would mean only four consecutive defeats and a huge swing in goal difference could send Birmingham down - and that looks very unlikely.
Fans were lifted by the news of a potential takeover of the club this week, as Birmingham Sports Holdings announced on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange that two letters of intent to buy had been filed. Now, a few days on, it appears it could be Often Partisan Ltd attempting the purchase, but that hasn’t been confirmed.
Regardless, supporters are in good spirits ahead of this weekend’s clash and their smiles could be widened further with a positive showing. In order to give Blues the best chance of doing so, we think Eustace will make a couple of subtle changes to his midfield and attacking options. With that in mind, here is our predicted starting XI.
9. CAM: George Hall
Didn’t have much of an impact against Stoke, but then again no one really did. Has enjoyed a run in the side and we reckon that’ll continue. | Getty Images
10. RM: Juninho Bacuna
The £3m change alluded to in the headline, Man Utd loanee Tahith Chong was poor last weekend and is replaced by Bacuna. The midfield moves wide to run at defenders. | Getty Images
11. LM: Reda Khadra
Quieter than usual in the previous game but poses a real threat down the left flank. The Brighton loanee is articularly effective when he cuts onto his right foot. | Getty Images
12. ST: Lukas Jutkiewicz
Everyone seems to be really enjoying the presence of Jukey up front at the moment. He’s done really well in Troy Deeney’s absence and continues to keep Scott Hogan out of the side. | Getty Images