Birmingham City return to St Andrew's @ Knighthead Park on Tuesday evening for a crucial Sky Bet Championship clash against Middlesbrough.
Without a win since Tony Mowbray took a step back from his duties, Blues will be desperate to get three points on the board to move away from the relegation zone. With this as the game in hand on the others in and around Birmingham in the table, it's absolutely vital at least a point is claimed.
As it stands, Blues, in 21st, are just one point above Huddersfield Town and Sheffield Wednesday in 22nd and 23rd respectively. Queens Park Rangers are ahead on goal difference in 20th, while Stoke City, Blackburn Rovers and Plymouth Argyle are two points above.
Middlesbrough are in decent form heading into this one, with three wins in their last five games. It was a 2-0 victory away at an in-form Queens Park Rangers last time out, whereas the game before that was a 3-1 win at home to the high-flying Norwich City.
Interim head coach Mark Venus will be very aware of the threat Michael Carrick's team will bring to St Andrew's and he'll pick his lineup accordingly. With that in mind, here are the 11 players we think will start for Blues on Tuesday, as well as brief explanations for each inclusion.
1. GK: John Ruddy
If it weren’t for Ruddy’s impressive shot-stopping, Blues would be conceding far more goals than they already are. That was shown against Millwall.
2. RB: Ethan Laird
Laird was benched at The Den but he’s likely to rotate back in for this one. Cody Drameh, meanwhile, could see the reverse. That’s the sensical thing, anyway.
3. CB: Marc Roberts
Roberts came back into the XI after his calf strain, adding experience to Blues’ backline. That’ll continue with Dion Sanderson still banned.
4. CB: Emanuel Aiwu
The Austrian has struggled for consistency this season but he’s done a decent job in the last few matches. A real improvement.