Birmingham City travel to Hillsborough this weekend with a prime opportunity to address their woeful away record in the Championship, facing a Sheffield Wednesday side yet to win at home this season.
A Chance to Cure Travel Sickness
The Blues, managed by Chris Davies, sit 14th in the table and are now eight points adrift of the play-off places. Their hopes of securing consecutive promotions are fading, largely due to a dire record on the road. They have collected just nine points from a possible 42 away from home, winning only twice all season. A rare point at Swansea City last time out offered a glimmer, but three points are desperately needed in South Yorkshire.
Their opponents, Sheffield Wednesday, provide the ideal fixture to improve that statistic. The Owls are embroiled in off-field financial troubles and, crucially, have not registered a single victory at Hillsborough for their supporters during the current campaign.
Predicted Birmingham City Line-Up
Davies made one change for the Swansea draw following the FA Cup win over Cambridge. For the trip to Wednesday, one significant boost is expected in attack.
Goalkeeper and Defence
In goal, James Beadle should continue. The Brighton & Hove Albion loanee and England Under-21 international has been the first-choice keeper for most of the season.
The versatile Tomoki Iwata is predicted to start at right-back, having been a near ever-present figure. The centre-back partnership is likely to remain Phil Neumann and Christoph Klarer, the latter hailed for his sensational form last term. At left-back, January signing Kai Wagner is set to keep his place, undefeated in his three appearances since arriving from Philadelphia Union, with Alex Cochrane still injured.
Midfield and Attack
The midfield duo should see Paik Seung-Ho and Tommy Doyle continue. Paik has four goals this season, while Wolves loanee Doyle may face a hostile reception from the home crowd due to his past with Sheffield United.
The major boost comes in the attacking third, with star man Jay Stansfield expected to return to the starting line-up after appearing from the bench against Swansea following an injury lay-off. Patrick Roberts, in fine form with a goal and two assists recently, should feature on the right, with Lewis Koumas on the left in Demarai Gray's absence.
Leading the line will be two-time Germany international Marvin Ducksch, who keeps his place ahead of Kyogo Furuhashi as the Japanese forward awaits his first Championship goal.
A Pivotal Fixture for Fading Hopes
This match represents more than just another Championship fixture for Birmingham. It is a clear chance to reverse a damaging trend that is undermining their season. Failure to beat a struggling Wednesday side at Hillsborough would be a significant blow to their already diminishing promotion aspirations. All eyes will be on the returning Stansfield to provide the spark needed to ignite their away form and keep their slim top-six hopes alive.
