Birmingham City make the jaunt to Ipswich Town on Easter Monday trying for an enormous enchancment
06:00, 06 Apr 2026
August Priske of Birmingham City in motion
Making mass changes between Championship video games isn’t wholesome however Chris Davies can’t simply sit on his arms after one other uninspiring efficiency from Birmingham City towards Blackburn on Good Friday.
Davies arguably wants performances greater than outcomes proper now with one other sold-out away finish – round 2,000 Bluenoses – seeking to be entertained with little to play for within the Championship desk.
Away days within the Championship don’t come far more daunting than Ipswich. The Tractor Boys have earned 43 factors from their 20 video games at Portman Road – solely league leaders Coventry City have a greater residence report.
No one wants reminding that Blues’ outcomes on the highway have been fairly dire this season however, in case you do, 12 defeats in 20 video games and a -15 objective distinction places them within the backside 4 of the away desk.
There are some alternatives Davies ought to make to assist himself, such because the return of Phil Neumann. The German centre-back hasn’t been what was marketed, however Blues’ outcomes have been significantly higher with Neumann subsequent to Christoph Klarer. Jack Robinson nor Jonathan Panzo have achieved sufficient to maintain Neumann out.
Tomoki Iwata has taken some stick of late however he’s Blues’ finest wager at right-back if Ethan Laird has to proceed at left-back.
The midfield stability has hardly ever regarded proper this season however the mixture of Paik Seung-ho and Jhon Solis was used throughout Blues’ finest run of ends in January and February.
It is smart to begin Carlos Vicente and August Priske within the entrance 4, significantly Priske who regarded shiny as an alternative on Friday.
The 6ft 4in Dane has all the attributes to achieve success within the Championship and Blues labored onerous to signal him, so taking part in him in preparation for subsequent season is a should.
Equally, if Priske begins, we ought to be lenient on him given the power of the opposition. So far the 21-year-old has solely began away video games at Norwich, Millwall and Charlton, so this isn’t the sport to guage him both – we are going to be taught extra when he will get a constant run of video games that features begins at St Andrew’s.
Vicente must be the provision line for Priske. The Spaniard has an urge for food to ship early crosses that Priske ought to thrive on and his pace may very well be helpful towards an Ipswich facet that can possible dominate the ball.
Davies ought to fill the opposite two positions in his entrance 4 with mobility and expertise. This isn’t the sport for Marvin Ducksch.
Jay Stansfield ought to fill the place behind Priske and the gauntlet must be thrown right down to Demarai Gray.
Gray hasn’t been anyplace close to his finest since coming back from harm within the New Year and Blues need an enormous efficiency from a participant many anticipated to be their talisman within the Championship.
How ought to Blues line up?
(4-2-3-1): Beadle; Iwata, Neumann, Klarer, Laird; Solis, Paik; Vicente, Stansfield, Gray; Priske
Ins: Neumann, Solis, Vicente, Gray, Priske
Outs: Robinson, Doyle, Roberts, Osman, Ducksch
