Our writers agree on Birmingham City XI set for Charlton revenge mission

Birmingham City can exact revenge on one of the two teams who have beaten them in League One when they host Charlton Athletic today.

Blues have stormed clear of the chasing pack with a 14-game unbeaten run in the league, spanning almost three months, and battered Cambridge United 4-0 on Tuesday. They are now looking to dish out some punishment to a Charlton side which defeated them 1-0 at The Valley in October.

Charlton are one of the form teams in League One over the past six games, having taken 16 points from a possible 18 – a record Blues have matched. The Addicks have climbed into the play-off places as a result and will pose one of Blues’ sternest tests of the season.

Here’s how our writers expect Blues to line up…

Alex Dicken

As ever, Chris Davies will be looking to balance fitness and form in order to select the strongest possible XI. The selection he made for Cambridge on Tuesday is arguably the best XI available to him.

Ryan Allsop, Ethan Laird, Ben Davies and Alex Cochrane will surely start against Charlton. Christoph Klarer too if fit, if not then Krystian Bielik will take the shirt and armband.

This isn’t the game to rest anyone so it’s Tomoki Iwata and Paik Seung-ho in midfield. The only selection dilemma in attack is really between Alfie May and Willum Willumsson. May doesn’t get into Blues’ best attacking quartet but Davies will be keen to avoid a relapse with Willumsson so soon after his return and could rest him. My hunch is that he won’t change anything.

(4-2-3-1): Allsop; Laird, Klarer, Davies, Cochrane; Iwata, Paik; Dowell, Willumsson, Anderson; Stansfield

Brian Dick

Fitness concerns aside the other big issue is Tuesday night’s one-step-from-Wembley clash with Bradford – does Davies have half an eye on that?

I’d say not, he’s pretty clearly delineated between league and cup competitions all season and will continue to do so.

With all that in mind he’ll go as strong as possible today. Ryan Allsop in goal, Ethan Laird at right back, Alex Cochrane on the left, Ben Davies as one centre half – Christoph Klarer looks to be OK so he'll be the other.

Paik Seung-ho and Tomoki Iwata are definites in the middle of the park, Kieran Dowell and Keshi Anderson are also certain starters. As much as Alfie May will be desperate to play against his old club, it’s Jay Stansfield’s time. Willum Willumsson will remain as the No. 10.

(4-2-3-1): Allsop; Laird, Klarer, Davies, Cochrane; Paik, Iwata; Dowell, Willumsson, Anderson; Stansfield

Do you agree with our writers? Have your say HERE