Mark Venus makes Dion Sanderson call as midfield ‘dazzler’ regains spot - Birmingham City predicted XI vs Ipswich Town

Birmingham City have the opportunity to earn a third successive Sky Bet Championship victory as they take on automatic promotion hopefuls Ipswich Town on Saturday afternoon.

Another tough challenge following last weekend's 2-1 win over play-off chasers Sunderland, it's a test for Blues to show where they are against the top sides away from home. Up to 15th in the league standings, a chance awaits to move up to nine points away from the relegation zone.

Mark Venus will be the main man on the touchline at Portman Road for this fixture and many more to come following the news Tony Mowbray has taken a step back. The manager, who will still have a minor input, has received a medical diagnosis and will spend at least the next six to eight weeks away from his usual duties.

Ipswich come into this weekend in fine form having beaten Rotherham United 4-3, Swansea City 2-1 and Millwall 4-0. There were four games without a win before that, though, showing the Tractor Boys are more than capable of dropping their performance levels now and then.

Birmingham have a few selection dilemmas ahead of Saturday's trip to Norfolk, including whether to include or exclude captain Dion Sanderson. The skipper has missed the last five matches in all competitions due to an ankle injury but he's been in training all week. Some choices in attack are tough, too.

Birmingham predicted lineup vs Ipswich

Here's the starting XI we predict Blues will name in Ipswich.

GK: John Ruddy

Blues have won twice and conceded just one since Ruddy returned to the XI. There isn’t too much of a coincidence there.

RB: Cody Drameh

Drameh is not only in competition with Laird but also with Lee Buchanan. This should drive him to continue his upward trajectory.

CB: Krystian Bielik

Bielik has transitioned to central defence under Mowbray. He’s still lacking with his positional awareness but his passing out from the back is better than alternatives.

CB: Dion Sanderson

Sanderson has trained all week and should be fine to start this one. Dropping Marc Roberts feels harsh but at least Blues have a decent backup partnership.

LB: Ethan Laird

Laird’s run of starts at left-back is expected to continue following two wins. Buchanan will have to wait for his chance if so.

CM: Seung-ho Paik

Paik was excellent against Blackburn but poor in the win over Sunderland as he gave the ball away for Jack Clarke’s opener. He’ll be hoping to redeem himself.

CM: Andre Dozzell

Dozzell and Paik appears to be the new dream partnership in midfield, even with that aforementioned mistake from Paik.

CAM: Jordan James

James, who tends to play best in an attacking midfield role, scored the equaliser against Sunderland. The Welshman has been outstanding this season.

RW: Juninho Bacuna

Bacuna has impressed with two cameos and deserves a start off the back of them. He dazzles with the energy he brings to Blues’ attacks.

LW: Koji Miyoshi

Miyoshi can play on either flank and the two wingers could well swap mid-game. To start with, though, we reckon the Japanese will be out on the left.

ST: Jay Stansfield

Stansfield is suffering from quite the goal drought, with his last goal coming six games ago, away at Stoke City on January 16. It won’t last much longer, though.