Birmingham City return to St Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park on Wednesday night to take on Cardiff City in the Sky Bet Championship.
In action for another game labelled as a ‘cup final’ affair by most, Blues will be desperate to get three points on the board to escape the relegation zone. Birmingham are now down in 23rd place following the late 2-1 defeat at Leicester City but just one point is the gap to safety, with goal difference also in favour.
Cardiff, albeit a decent side in 11th place, have very little to play for at this stage of the campaign. Play-off qualification was the hope but the gap to Norwich City in sixth is currently 12 points, making it a nearly impossible ask. Finishing in the top half would be favourable but the Bluebirds aren’t in a life-or-death situation like Blues.
Gary Rowett has done a great job since his return, improving the performances and earning a vital 1-0 win over Preston North End between two defeats. The losses were painful ones with late goals deciding Birmingham’s fate but there’s certainly an upward trajectory. That just needs to be translated into more points now.
Rowett will likely stick with most of the weekend’s starters but there could be a change or few to freshen things up ahead of Saturday’s game against Coventry City. With that in mind, here’s the Birmingham lineup we predict will take on Cardiff.
1. GK: John Ruddy
Ruddy remains Blues’ first-choice goalkeeper, at least for the rest of this season. So many more goals would have been let in if it wasn’t for him and his experience.
2. RB: Ethan Laird
Laird was brilliant against Leicester at both ends of the field, at least for the most part. He’s cemented his spot at right-back.
3. CB: Emanuel Aiwu
The Austrian struggled earlier this campaign but he’s done a decent job in the last few matches. Marc Roberts’ injury makes the position rather locked down.
4. CB: Dion Sanderson
The skipper hardly put a foot wrong at the King Power despite the defeat. Rowett will want more of the same.