Birmingham City play host to Preston North End this weekend as John Eustace hopes to guide his team to their first Championship victory since December 16. Blues managed a 2-1 win away at Forest Green Rovers in the FA Cup Third Round midweek and they will be eager to build momentum from that.
It has been a torrid time for Bluenoses of late as their side have lost four successive Championship games, conceding 11 goals in the process. Even when Birmingham did last taste victory, at home to Reading over a month ago, they still let in two. Eustace will be eager to put the record straight.
Preston, meanwhile, have slumped to 13th in the league standings after four defeats in their last five outings. The North End did earn three points away at Stoke City on January 2, but they have fallen well away from the playoff spots – where they were originally hoping to finish.
Regardless of their drop in form, Ryan Lowe’s side remain a difficult opposition to face and Blues will need to be at their best to get out of their own rut. With that in mind, here is the strong starting XI we think Eustace will go with this weekend. See below.
Preston, meanwhile, have slumped to 13th in the league standings after four defeats in their last five outings. The North End did earn three points away at Stoke City on January 2, but they have fallen well away from the playoff spots – where they were originally hoping to finish.
5. LWB: Jordan Graham
Offers plenty of energy on the left hand-side. Emmanuel Longelo is another option, but his positioning has been poor recently.
6. CM: Krystian Bielik
Often rock solid at the base of a midfield three for Blues. Was key to the good run of form a few months back.
7. CM: Tahith Chong
Steps back into a midfield role as he should be effective progressing forwards with the ball from deep, as opposed to the other way around.
8. CM: Juninho Bacuna
Has been in decent form recently and had a decent rest by only playing 17 mins vs Forest Green.