Birmingham City make a return to Sky Bet Championship action on Friday evening as they play host to local rivals West Bromwich Albion. Live in front of the television cameras, John Eustace’s side will be eager to complete their first league double over the Baggies in over two long decades.
It was pure, late joy for Blues last time out as they scored in the 90th and 97th minutes to earn a dramatic victory away at Swansea City. The traveling supporters were sent into a frenzy as their team put their first points on the board for weeks after five successive Championship defeats.
West Brom, meanwhile, soared back into the top six with a narrow 1-0 win over Coventry City last Friday, as Corberan’s men defended well to hold on to an early lead. Grady Diangana tapped the ball home at the far post within the opening 15 minutes, converting a dangerous long throw from Darnell Furlong.
Blues will take confidence from that as well as the fact they have a fully fit squad to select from for the first time this season, as revealed by Eustace on Wednesday. With that in mind, it was rather difficult to predict the starting XI the head coach might go with. Here is the team we concluded with, in a 3-5-2 formation. See below.
1. GK: John Ruddy
Not necessarily been at his best of late, with plenty of goals conceded, but remains the best goalkeeper at the club.
2. CB: Auston Trusty
Been completely everpresent for Blues this campaign as the American has started every single Championship game. Was the man to score the late winner last week.
3. CB: Harlee Dean
Was so key to Birmingham’s success before the World Cup and is finally back in contention for a start. We think he will.
4. CB: Dion Sanderson
Has formed a good partnership with Trusty and is able to adapt to whoever comes into the third centre back spot.