Four changes predicted as Birmingham City plot perfect Christmas against Blackpool
Birmingham City can end their festive fixtures and 2024 in perfect fashion with a victory over Blackpool in their final match of the year.
Chris Davies’ side have enjoyed the perfect month and are currently on an eight-game winning streak. A win over the Tangerines at St Andrew’s would guarantee top spot in League One going into the New Year.
Blues will welcome back influential defender Christoph Klarer from suspension and he should be restored to the side. Ethan Laird is likely to be the fall guy with Krystian Bielik reverting to right-back – but there is a way Laird could stay in the XI (more on that later).
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Alex Cochrane’s ability going forward gives him the edge over Lee Buchanan at left-back whilst Bielik is operating on the opposite side. Davies likes to have one full-back operating further forward and the role suits Cochrane.
Ben Davies is likely to play alongside Klarer in the middle of defence. Blues have conceded just six goals with Davies on the field in his 17 appearances.
Paik Seung-ho was given a breather against Burton Albion and Marc Leonard performed well in his place before giving way to the South Korean just after the hour. Tomoki Iwata played the full 90 minutes.
The chances of Iwata playing another 90 minutes and starting at Stockport on New Year’s Day seem slim, so Leonard could keep his place, this time alongside Paik. Chris Davies will surely want to field Paik and Iwata together against fifth-placed Stockport and this might be his best bet to keep them fresh during this gruelling period.
You would expect Willum Willumsson and Jay Stansfield to take up two of the three positions behind the striker. In-form Keshi Anderson would take the third but he was withdrawn at half-time against Burton with muscle fatigue so it would be a surprise to see him start.
Laird is an option on the right side that would give Blues balance but the favourite to replace Anderson would be Emil Hansson. The Swede played the second half against Burton and slotted in seamlessly.
Lyndon Dykes got the nod up front against Burton and rotation with Alfie May seems likely over this period. Based on that, it’s May’s turn.
(4-2-3-1): Allsop; Bielik, Klarer, Davies, Cochrane; Leonard, Paik; Hansson, Willumsson, Stansfield; May
