Predicted line up Vs. Port Vale

On Wednesday evening, Birmingham City will travel up the M6 to face Sky Bet League One side Port Vale in what looks likely to be yet another tough test for Gary Rowett’s men.

When Blues visited Scotland over the weekend, the game against the cup champions, Hibernian, saw Rowett field his strongest side that we have seen in preseason so far and I have a feeling he may look to do that once again at Vale Park.

Although Sunday’s game against Hibs ended in a 1-0 defeat, the long train journey and the interrupted sleep might actually be a good thing as it could happen when we are in the middle of the season and the trip to Newcastle United will be a similar test.

Blues haven’t had the most amazing start to their preseason, winning the first two games against non-league opposition quite comfortably, with three goals being scored in each game, but with a draw and two losses following, Rowett will be hoping for a more positive outcome on Wednesday.

Down below is the side that I think Rowett will field against Vale…

GK: Kuszczak
RB: Caddis
CB: Morrison
CB: Shotton
LB: Grounds
CDM: Davis
CDM: Tesche
RAM: Solomon-Otabor
CAM: Fabbrini
LAM: Maghoma
ST: Vaughan

As you can see, this starting XI is a little bit different to what the manager fielded at the weekend, with James Vaughan, David Davis and Paul Caddis all replacing Clayton Donaldson, Stephen Gleeson and Jonathan Spector.

Personally, I think Rowett will start with Vaughan just to try and get him a goal, although he might be best served coming off the bench to try and impact that game in the last 20 minutes, something he could be used for in the Championship next season.

I believe Rowett will restore Caddis to the starting line up, although he looked a little slack when he played against Walsall last week, but he will undoubtedly be our first choice right back in my opinion.

As well as those two changes, I think Davis will come into the starting XI ahead of Gleeson because the former Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder needs to get some more minutes under his belt and when I have watched Gleeson so far this preseason, he has looked very tired.

Blues fans, what do you think of the starting XI that has been predicted? Do you think Gary Rowett will make more than three changes? Will we see David Cotterill return to the squad? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section down below!