Wayne Rooney makes ‘bold’ defensive change as striker experiment continues - Birmingham City predicted XI vs Rotherham

By Charlie Haffenden

Football Journalist

Published 1st Dec 2023, 17:30 GMT

Here’s how we think Birmingham City will line up against Rotherham United in the EFL Championship.

Birmingham City return to St Andrew's Stadium on Saturday afternoon to take on Championship relegation battlers Rotherham United.

Wayne Rooney will be hoping for more home joy after he earned his first three points as Blues boss last weekend, in a 2-1 victory over Sheffield Wednesday.

It was defeat for Birmingham on the road midweek as Blackburn Rovers came out on top in a 4-2 thriller. Blues recorded 26 shots and seven on target during that game but were atrocious defensively.

An improvement is desperately needed this weekend and we reckon Rooney could take action with some changes. With that in mind, here's our predicted XI for Saturday.

Had a poor game at Blackburn as he conceded four – two of which he will have hoped to have stopped on another day – but remains first choice.

1. GK: John Ruddy

Had a poor game at Blackburn as he conceded four – two of which he will have hoped to have stopped on another day – but remains first choice. | Getty Images

So often gives Blues a spark down the right flank and simply has to start after getting a brief rest midweek.

2. RB: Ethan Laird

So often gives Blues a spark down the right flank and simply has to start after getting a brief rest midweek. | Getty Images

Blues are leaking plenty of goals at the moment but the skipper isn’t normally the one at fault when they go in.

3. CB: Dion Sanderson

Blues are leaking plenty of goals at the moment but the skipper isn’t normally the one at fault when they go in. | Getty Images

A bold move perhaps as Drameh typically plays right-back but Emanuel Aiwu’s performance midweek was blunderous to say the least.

4. CB: Cody Drameh

A bold move perhaps as Drameh typically plays right-back but Emanuel Aiwu’s performance midweek was blunderous to say the least. | Getty Images

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