Surprise debutant as Chris Davies navigates injury minefield - Birmingham City predicted XI vs Cambridge

Blues turn their attention back to League One tonight as they play host to relegation battlers Cambridge United following two exhilarating cup ties last week.

Birmingham reached the Vertu Trophy semi-final with a narrow 1-0 victory over Stevenage last Tuesday and were then knocked out of the FA Cup on Saturday by Newcastle United, losing 3-2 in a spirited performance on home soil.

Chris Davies’ men are in action at St Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park once more as they clash with Cambridge. The head coach will be keen to see more of the grit and determination he saw at the weekend despite the defeat, with several important players impressing in that match.

Cambridge, currently rock bottom of League One with just 23 points from 29 games, are on paper one of the worst opponents Birmingham will face all season. The U’s have proven to be quite the bogey side for Blues, however, with no wins in the last three league matches against them – dating back to April 1995.

We’re well beyond the halfway stage of the campaign now but Blues are yet to take on Cambridge in 2024/25 due to an earlier postponement. The trip to Abbey Stadium - the reverse fixture - awaits on the final day of the season.

Even with Birmingham the heavy favourites to win under the lights this Tuesday, Davies will not underestimate his opposition and is bound to put out a strong lineup as a result. With that in mind, here’s the team we reckon will be named at St Andrew’s.

Birmingham City predicted lineup vs Cambridge

GK - Ryan Allsop

The boyhood Bluenose has been the first choice goalkeeper for several months. Bailey Peacock-Farrell, meanwhile, has made far too many mistakes between the sticks.

RB - Krystian Bielik

Benched for many games recently, the skipper will be itching to get back into the starting lineup. This is a good opportunity to rest Ethan Laird.

CB - Grant Hanley

Signed for this very purpose, Hanley could rotate in for Christoph Klarer ahead of big games against Charlton and Bradford - both within the next week.

CB - Ben Davies

The manager’s namesake has been in sensational form this season, forming a formidable partnership with Klarer. Bielik has had to sit back and watch at times.

LB - Myung-jae Lee

A surprise debut, perhaps, for Myung-jae after signing on deadline day. The South Korea international can rotate effectively with Alex Cochrane.

CM - Tomoki Iwata

Fresh off the back of scoring an absolute belter against Newcastle, Iwata is brimming with confidence. The Japan international is simply levels above League One.

CM - Kieran Dowell

More naturally an attacking midfielder, maybe, but Dowell is capable of dropping deeper with Paik Seung-ho, Marc Leonard and Taylor Gardner-Hickman all injured.

RW - Willum Willumsson

Back from injury, Willumsson is ready to shine once more having already notched five goals and eight assists in 24 matches this season.

CAM - Lyndon Dykes

The Scotland international is effective with his hold-up play and aerial ability, two qualities that could be useful against Cambridge’s likely low block.

LW - Scott Wright

Starting to become more of a regular starter, Wright has shown glimpses of real quality when dribbling with the ball. Keshi Anderson, meanwhile, should be saved for the weekend.

ST - Alfie May

Last season’s League One Golden Boot winner, May has scored 11 goals and made six assists in all competitions this term. He’ll be eager to add to that tally.