Birmingham City return to their own soil following a Boxing Day fixture against Sheffield Wednesday with MK Dons the latest side to test their luck in B9.
Following success on their last time out against Cardiff City at St.Andrews, Blues will be hoping they can make it two wins out of two in front of the home crowd for the first time this season in the league.
Gary Rowett’s side now have three home games on the bounce, the other two against Brentford and Bournemouth, the latter of which is in the FA Cup, and the former Burton Albion boss will be hoping that his side can continue their away form at home.
The visitors are currently struggling to get to grips with life back in the second tier of English football as they already find themselves in a relegation dog fight.
Winning just six times in the league all season has seen them pick up just 22 points, with the other single point coming from a 0-0 draw against Reading.
Blues won the earlier contest between the two sides as they came away from stadium MK with a comfortable 2-0 win.
Having looked in-depth at how both teams have been performing recently and what players are vital to each team, I believe I have come up with a strong five-a-side team.
GK: Tomasz Kuszczak.
The former Manchester United ‘keeper has found his feet at Blues as we hit the mid-point of the season.
Producing a string of above average performances, especially away from home, Kuszczak has proven to be a very good buy for Blues.
So far this season, the big Polish shot stopper has managed to keep a tidy seven clean sheets, which meant that he just had to be in my team.
DF: Paul Caddis.
The saviour returned to first team action following the injury to Neal Eardley against Cardiff 10 days ago and I think he is a crucial part to how Blues play.
You honestly can’t say that about many defenders nowadays but Caddis really is vital to Birmingham City! His driving runs forward, his endless energy and his Scottish spirit always seem to carry him on until the end.
With four goals to his name already this season, Caddis was someone who I just needed to have in my five-a-side team this week!
MF: Carl Baker and Rob Hall.
I have opted to go with the Dons midfield duo because I think they could cause us problems.
Baker currently has five goals this season, which is as many as Clayton Donaldson, and I think should he get into the right positions against us at St.Andrews then he could be someone who can hurt us.
However, a downside to Baker’s play is that he does pick up the odd yellow card! Despite this, I still think having someone that battles in the middle of the park is a very good thing to have.
On the other hand, Hall is someone who will look to occupy both Caddis and Jonathan Grounds.
The on loan Bolton Wanderers winger likes to use his quick feet and pace to get in behind defenders and I think again he is someone that could cause us problems.
Similarly to Blues’ very own Demarai Gray, Hall only has one goal to his name and I cannot see him being a big goal threat, but he is someone who will most certainly create plenty of chances for his team mates.
ST: Clayton Donaldson.
Now some fans might be thinking, why is he picking Donaldson when he has only just returned from injury?
Well the fact of the matter is is that the Jamaican international is again vital to Birmingham City’s style of play.
His unselfish runs, his hold up play and at times, his finishing, make Donaldson unplayable on his day and welcoming him back into the team is something Blues fans will have wanted to see for a long time.
For me, although he may not have that many goals so far this season, the Don needed to be in my five-a-side team.
Blues and MK Dons fans, what do you make of the team for the game? Would you be worried if you came up against them in your local league? Let us know in the comment section down below!
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