Birmingham City play host to Derby County this weekend with Gary Rowett returning to St.Andrews for the first time since he was controversially sacked by the club back in December 2016.
Since his departure, Blues have only won two games under Italian Gianfranco Zola and the game on Saturday has huge importance for both parties.
Derby are now just five points outside of the play-offs following their 4-2 win over Fulham on Tuesday night and a win against Blues would certainly put them back in the mix for a top six spot.
Blues on the other hand are just six points above Blackburn Rovers who currently occupy the last relegation zone spot and Zola will be looking over his shoulder because the door is still open for Blues to drop down into League One.
On Tuesday night, Blues lost 3-1 to Brighton and Hove Albion and despite an impressive display at the Amex, Blues were unable to take their chances and at the end of the day, the result always looked like it was going to go the way of the hosts.
A positive from that game was that Che Adams was on the score sheet once again and if his performance on Tuesday night doesn’t earn him another start this weekend then Zola is as deluded as we all think he is.
Down below is the side that I think Zola will name for the game against the Rams along with the seven substitutes…
GK: Kuszczak
RB: Nsue
CB: Shotton
CB: Bielik
LB: Grounds
CM: Kieftenbeld
CM: Davis
CM: Tesche
RW: Frei
ST: Jutkiewicz
LW: Adams
Substitutes: Legzdins, Robinson, Keita, Gleeson, Gardner, Donaldson, Maghoma.
The time has now come for Zola to suck it up and face the facts that his five at the back formation isn’t working.
Blues paid good money for Kerim Frei in January and after his short appearance on Tuesday night, he, like Adams, deserves a place in the starting XI.
Blues fans, what do you make of the predicted line up? Is it one that you think could cause Derby County problems? Let us know in the comment section down below!
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