Birmingham City manager Chris Davies is poised to make strategic changes to his starting eleven for this Saturday's Championship clash away at Sheffield United. The match kicks off at 3pm at Bramall Lane.
Davies Adapts Strategy for Away Day Struggles
Speaking ahead of the fixture, Davies acknowledged his team's contrasting form and indicated a flexible approach. Birmingham have been formidable at home, averaging 2.1 points per game at St Andrew's. However, their travels have told a different story, with just eight points taken from a possible 33 in their 11 away matches so far this season.
Davies admitted that a one-size-fits-all tactic is not viable, confirming he will act as "tinkerman" to find a formula that works on the road. With promotion ambitions on the line, solving this away-day puzzle has become an urgent priority for Blues.
Tailoring the Team to Face the Blades
The selection is expected to be specifically designed to counter Sheffield United's strengths. The Blades are known for a possession-based style but also carry a significant aerial threat; only Millwall and Charlton have won more aerial duels in the Championship this term.
Birmingham will need a blend of physical presence to handle set-piece dangers like Japhet Tanganga and Mark McGuinness, combined with the pace to hurt United on the counter-attack.
In goal, Ryan Allsop will continue in place of the absent James Beadle. The back four is predicted to be Tomoki Iwata, Phil Neumann, Christoph Klarer and Alex Cochrane.
Midfield Reshuffle and Attack Revamp
The key change could come in midfield, where a recall for Marc Leonard is on the cards. His inclusion alongside Tommy Doyle and Paik Seung-ho would add steel and allow Paik to operate in a more advanced role, as he did in Blues' last away win at Preston.
This extra midfielder would also provide cover when Iwata pushes forward to support winger Patrick Roberts. Despite Roberts' own patchy away form, his quality is still deemed essential.
On the left, Demarai Gray remains Blues' most in-form player and is a certain starter. The major change up front is the anticipated introduction of Jay Stansfield for Marvin Ducksch.
While Stansfield is less effective with his back to goal, his speed is seen as the ideal weapon to exploit spaces in behind. Ducksch has found it difficult to make an impact away from home and is likely to drop to the bench.
Our Predicted Birmingham City XI (4-2-3-1):
- Allsop
- Iwata, Neumann, Klarer, Cochrane
- Leonard, Doyle
- Roberts, Paik, Gray
- Stansfield
