Demarai Gray could make his first start since Boxing Day as Birmingham City host Leeds United in the FA Cup fourth round.placeholder image
Demarai Gray could make his first start since Boxing Day as Birmingham City host Leeds United in the FA Cup fourth round. | Getty Images
Predicting Chris Davies’ Birmingham City lineup to take on Leeds United at home in the FA Cup.
Birmingham City divert their attention to the FA Cup as they host high-flying Premier League side Leeds United in the fourth round this Sunday lunchtime.
Chris Davies’ side are undoubtedly the underdogs but there will be belief amongst the squad that they can cause an upset. Blues have lost just two games at St Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park all season and will be looking to make the most of the home advantage.
Birmingham also have the added motivation of wanting to put things right after drawing 0-0 with local rivals West Bromwich Albion at the weekend. Although that result extended the unbeaten run to eight games in all competitions, it was a winnable fixture against relegation battlers.
Birmingham City predicted lineup vs Leeds
The Championship remains the priority, so Davies might rotate a little this weekend, but the head coach won’t want to stunt Birmingham’s chances too much. With that in mind, here’s the XI we reckon Davies will name against the Whites.
GK - Ryan Allsop: Resorted to the bench in the Championship due to Brighton loanee James Beadle being first choice, Allsop could be handed some game time in the cup.
RB - Bright Osayi-Samuel: The Nigerian started at the weekend to give Tomoki Iwata a rest. Osayi-Samuel can continue to build up his minutes with another start.
CB - Christoph Klarer: The captain is pivotal to this squad and he will be well up for a game of this magnitude. As much as Klarer loves competing in the Championship, the thought of taking on Leeds will excite him.
CB - Jonathan Panzo: Potentially in for his debut this weekend, Panzo will be eager to hit the ground running if he gets the opportunity to do so. Davies has wanted a left-footed centre-back for a while.
LB - Kai Wagner: Signed from Minnesota United a month ago, the attacking-minded Wagner has taken to English football ike a duck to water. Alex Cochrane, on the other hand, is unfortunately out for several months.
CM - Jhon Solis: The Girona loanee has made an excellent impression so far and he ran the midfield against Leicester recently. Solis starting is at the expense of Tommy Doyle, but there’s lots of competition for places.
CM - Tomoki Iwata: Swapping right-back for central midfield, Iwata could shift into his more familiar role of seasons gone by to give Paik Seung-ho a rest after his knock. Equally, Davies could continue to start Paik.
RW - Carlos Vicente: There have been some great signs from Blues’ marquee winter addition so far. Vicente will want to display his ability against top opposition. Here’s his chance.
CAM - Jay Stansfield: Stanno is another who could maybe do with a game off but he will feel he has something to prove against Premier League opponents. Davies is unlikely to stave Stansfield of the opportunity.
LW - Demarai Gray: Fan favourite Gray could rotate in for Ibrahim Osman as he steps up his return to full fitness. It seems harsh on Osman considering how good he has been, but Gray will want to be a regular starter too.
ST - Marvin Ducksch: In a physical encounter like this one, Ducksch can use his experience and height to cause problems for the Leeds defenders. The two-time Germany international also has terrific technical ability.
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