Consistency in selection has eluded Birmingham City manager Chris Davies throughout the first 14 games of the Championship season. With twelve new signings, several arriving late in the summer transfer window, Davies has been forced to rotate his squad frequently. Early-season results only added to the pressure to experiment.
Unchanged lineups have been a scarcity for the Blues this term. However, Davies has now fielded the same starting XI in the last two matches, earning impressive 4-0 victories in both. On Saturday, as Birmingham prepare to face third-placed Middlesbrough, the question arises: will Davies stick with the winning formula?
If he does, it will mark the first time this season that Birmingham has had the same starting eleven for three consecutive Championship fixtures.
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Yet, only one factor might stand in the way of continuity: the advice from Birmingham’s sports science team. Their data-driven analysis assesses players’ physical condition to prevent injuries, often recommending rest for those under strain. For example, Tomoki Iwata has sprinted more than any teammate over the past two matches in his new right-back role. While he’s near-essential in defense, Davies could consider moving him to midfield to reduce his running load, but such a change could disrupt the promising partnership between midfielders Tommy Doyle and Paik Seung-ho.
In attack, Davies appears to have settled on his most effective attacking quartet, although Keshi Anderson remains a strong alternative given his current run of form.
Of the current starting lineup, only goalkeeper James Beadle and midfielders Paik Seung-ho and Demarai Gray have had international duty this season. Barring injuries, this suggests Davies is well-positioned to field the same team for a third consecutive match, with the benefit of an international break approaching that will allow most players recovery time.
Projected Birmingham City XI to face Middlesbrough (4-2-3-1): Beadle; Iwata, Neumann, Klarer, Cochrane; Doyle, Paik; Roberts, Stansfield, Gray; Ducksch.