‘Superstar’ attacker starts as Eustace fills Ethan Laird void - Birmingham City predicted XI v Plymouth Argyle - gallery
Charlie Haffenden
·2-min read
Looks to be staying at St Andrew’s after some speculation earlier in the transfer window.
Birmingham City return to home soil on Saturday afternoon as they take on Plymouth Argyle in the Sky Bet Championship.
Sat in fourth place in the league standings after a tremendous seven points out of an available nine, John Eustace’s side have the opportunity to soar even higher this weekend.
Reaching the top of the table is theoretically possible if results elsewhere go Blues’ way but the focus will merely be on the game in hand.
Despite not playing in the opening three league games, Williams comes in with Ethan Laird and Marcel Oakley both unavailable through injury.
Argyle have started the campaign well after their promotion from League One, beating Huddersfield Town, drawing to Watford and losing narrowly against Southampton.
Steven Schumacher has his side playing some exciting attacking football and Eustace will be very wary of that, especially with the right-back position looking a slight frailty.
Injuries to Ethan Laird and Marcel Oakley have left Birmingham very light on the right side of defence, so that’s one toss-up Eustace will need to make.
Another headache is caused by those in the forward positions as Siriki Dembele is also injured and Scott Hogan is struggling for goals.
Will be hoping to maintain his newly-found partnership in central defence alongside the skipper.
With all of that in mind, here are the 11 players we think Blues will start with on Saturday, as well as brief explanations for each inclusion.
Absolutely dominant in all areas defensively and his confidence has seemingly risen ever higher with the captain’s armband.
Adjusting to his new surroundings well and stays in the side ahead of Manny Longelo. Some healthy competition.
Was as reliable as always last week and will be handed another 90 minutes by Eustace, we expect.
Quickly becoming quite the fan favourite again in central midfield alongside Bielik. Been impressive every time he’s played.
Yet to score a Championship goal with Blues but has one assist to his name. Looks like the best option at 10.
Scored last weekend and deserves a place in the XI; could become a superstar for Blue based on early impressions. Particularly the case after an injury suffered by Siriki Dembele.
Performed well in the right midfield role at Bristol City and could rotate with Jordan James in that role going forward.
Enduring quite the goalscoring drought but Eustace appears to be sticking with the Irishman week in, week out.
BRISTOL, ENGLAND - AUGUST 19: Koji Miyoshi of Birmingham City celebrates scoring their first goal of the matchduring the Sky Bet Championship match between Bristol City and Birmingham City at Ashton Gate on August 19, 2023 in Bristol, England. (Photo by Tony Marshall/Getty Images)
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