Dykes starts: Birmingham City team news and predicted XI to face Sutton United
Today at 07:33 AM
Birmingham City face Sutton United in the FA Cup this weekend as they look to start a run in England’s most prestigious domestic competition.
Birmingham City have had a fine start to life in League One and they’ll be out for success in the FA Cup on Saturday afternoon too.
The Blues are hoping to book a Wembley date in the EFL Trophy and they’re out for domestic success in this competition too. Their campaign starts against Sutton United, who they will be favourites to beat.
Across all competitions, Chris Davies’ side are unbeaten in five, winning four of those. They thrashed Fulham U21s in the EFL Trophy in the week after being held to a 1-1 draw by Mansfield Town last weekend.
Sutton United will be out to pull off a shock. After being relegated from the EFL earlier this year, they sit 12th in the National League and beat Chertsey Town in the fourth qualifying round to set up this tie.
Birmingham City team news
Key defenders Krystian Bielik and Lee Buchanan remain out of contention for Birmingham City as they recover from ankle and calf injuries respectively.
Emil Hansson is another enduring a spell on the sidelines after coming off against Bolton Wanderers while fellow winger Scott Wright has been absent recently, so time will tell if he’s deemed fit to return.
Lukas Jutkiewicz and Alfie Chang are also on the road to recovery, while Luke Harris will be back in contention after being ineligible to play against Fulham’s youngsters on Tuesday night.
Predicted XI
(4-2-3-1)
Peacock-Farrell; Laird, Sanderson, Davies, Cochrane; Iwata, Paik; Anderson, Harris, Yokoyama; Dykes.
There is room to rotate the Birmingham City lineup, so there could be a few changes from the midweek clash against Fulham’s youngsters whilst still maintaining a very strong starting XI.
Bailey Peacock-Farrell has lost the number one spot to Ryan Allsop but has been starting in the cup and should retain his place. There could be a couple of changes in defence but Dion Sanderson is still building up sharpness and Alex Cochrane is the only fit left-back, so those two may start.
Christoph Klarer could be rested with Ben Davies starting while Ethan Laird returns at right-back.
Neither Seung-ho Paik or Tomoki Iwata played in the week so could start here. In front of him, Luke Harris could step up his return with a start while Keshi Anderson returns on the wing.
Ayumu Yokoyama is building towards a first League One start and could play again despite seeing out the full 90 in the EFL Trophy. Up top, Lyndon Dykes will be hoping for a rare start.
The post Dykes starts: Birmingham City team news and predicted XI to face Sutton United appeared first on The72 - Football League News.
