Three ‘Premier League quality’ players start - Birmingham City predicted XI vs Newcastle United

Blues continue their FA Cup campaign with a high-anticipated clash with Premier League top-four hopefuls Newcastle United on Saturday evening.

Birmingham, unbeaten at St Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park so far this season, are buzzing to challenge themselves up against one of England’s elite clubs. Chris Davies’ side certainly won’t be underestimating the quality of their opponents but will equally be confident in their own ability to cause an upset.

Newcastle, the clear favourites for this weekend’s game, are currently sixth in the Premier League and have recently been confirmed as Carabao Cup finalists. Beating the Toon will be incredibly difficult but it’s a task Davies and his men have had all week to prepare for.

League One remains the priority competition with Blues favourite to lift the third-tier title but Davies is highly unlikely to stray a great deal from his strongest starting lineup. There probably won’t be a better time this season to see exactly where Birmingham stand against the big boys, after all.

With that in mind, here’s the starting XI we reckon will be named under the lights at St Andrew’s.

Birmingham City predicted lineup vs Newcastle

GK - Bailey Peacock-Farrell

As much as his selection somewhat contradicts the point of naming the strongest team possible, squad unity is important and Peacock-Farrell should continue in the cup competitions.

The boyhood Bluenose has been the first choice goalkeeper for several months, moving ahead of Bailey Peacock-Farrell who started the campaign as the number one.

RB - Ethan Laird

Quick and agile, Laird is probably Blues’ best bet up against Anthony Gordon. It feels harsh not to start Krystian Bielik, but it’s probably the better tactical play.

CB - Christoph Klarer

Klarer, who himself hilariously admitted he’d head a brick for this team, will be so excited about playing against a top opposition. He wouldn’t look out of place in the Premier League.

CB - Ben Davies

The manager’s namesake has delivered when called upon and deserves to start. His partnership with Klarer has been excellent.

LB - Alex Cochrane

Cochrane is expected to start most games for the time being as Lee Buchanan is out with another serious injury. Lee Myung-jae, meanwhile, has only just joined.

CM - Taylor Gardner-Hickman

Gardner-Hickman has been an excellent utility option so far this term, used by Davies in a host of positions. That’s likely to the case again with Paik still out.

CM - Tomoki Iwata

A tremendous signing from Celtic, Iwata has been a joy to behold this campaign. It’ll be a tough job to win the midfield battle but the Japanese is another player probably capable of playing in the top tier.

RW - Keshi Anderson

In the form of his life this term, Anderson has the ability to change a game in an instant. Willum Willumsson is back, but only just.

LW - Jay Stansfield

The third player of Premier League quality in this side has got to be Stansfield, who is already living up to his £13 million price tag.

ST - Alfie May

May, last season’s League One Golden Boot winner, has scored 11 goals and made six assists in all competitions this term.