Opinion: Predicted line up Vs. Cardiff City

What’s that I can hear? Is that the start of the season calling/ It certainly is! Birmingham City are back in competitive action this weekend as they welcome Cardiff City to St.Andrews.

Blues face the Bluebirds for the second time in two Sky Bet Championship matches following the 1-1 draw on the final day of the 2015/16 season and with both sides having strengthened their squads, it could be a different affair this time round.

Gary Rowett’s side will be hoping to replicate their opening day win from last season, with David Cotterill and Jon Toral finding the back of the net in a 2-1 win over Reading in B9 and if a similar feet can be achieved on Saturday, it would be seen as a massive positive in my eyes.

Cardiff have a new manager and they will be looking to get off to another good start as they prepare to mount a serious challenge for a play-off spot, similar to Blues, so this game could turn out to a be a real cracker.

Based on the squad that is available to Rowett at the time of this article going live, I have predicted the line-up that I think will start the game on Saturday afternoon along with the seven substitutes…

GK: Kuszczak
RB: Caddis
CB: Morrison
CB: Shotton
LB: Grounds
CDM: Gleeson
CDM: Tesche
RAM: Cotterill
CAM: Fabbrini
LAM: Maghoma
ST: Donaldson

Substitutes: Legzdins, Spector, Kieftenbeld, Davis, Solomon-Otabor, Storer, Vaughan.

As you can see, there were a few tough decision to make as to who would start in this Sky Bet Championship opener but I believe the team that I have selected is what Rowett will go with.

Starting Paul Caddis at home will be a theme that will occur quite a bit this season in my opinion because he is essential to our attacking threat, especially at St.Andrews, so that is why he is ahead of Jonathan Spector.

I have also opted for a big call on the bench, bringing Jack Storer into the squad ahead of Andy Shinnie because with the form the 18-year-old is in at the moment, it would be silly to leave him out in my opinion.

My prediction for the game is that Blues will win 2-1 with Clayton Donaldson and Diego Fabbrini finding the back of the net for us.

Blues fans, do you agree with the team that has been picked? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section down below!