Jutkiewicz starts, 3-5-2 formation: The Birmingham City XI that Eustace should field against Swansea | OneFootball

Birmingham City head into their game against Swansea City game desperate for a win as they look to avoid being dragged into a relegation battle this season.

The Blues are on a run of five straight league defeats and will need to get back to picking up points to alleviate the pressure at St Andrew’s.

Whilst John Eustace’s side are six points above the bottom three, another defeat could allow teams below them to make up valuable ground and with confidence low, it will be a tough game against the Swans.

With their early season form now firmly in the distance, Eustace will need to revert back to the solid, counter-attacking football that proved successful before the World Cup break.

With that in mind, here’s how we think Birmingham City will line up when they face Swansea City on Saturday.

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Eustace is unlikely to venture too far away from the 3-5-2 he has deployed for most of this season. This is especially the case coming up against a Swansea side who could revert to the same formation, something they have done on many occasions this season so far.

John Ruddy will almost certainly continue in goal for the Blues, after being replaced by Neil Etheridge for the FA Cup games against Blackburn Rovers last week.

Dion Sanderson and Austin Trusty will sit either side of Kevin Long in a strong back three that will work to make it difficult for Swansea to break through. Manny Longelo will be able to toast his permanent move to the West Midlands at left wing-back, whilst the ever reliable Maxime Colin will be on the right hand side.

Krystian Bielik is likely to come back into the midfield after being rested for the FA Cup games, with Tahith Chong providing the guile alongside Hannibal’s tenacity. The midfield battle will be key in this game with this current three needing to provide as much protection for the back line as possible.

Swansea’s quick movement in possession will be difficult and if that balance is correct in the middle of the park, Birmingham will almost certainly fancy the three points.

Troy Deeney is expected to miss out, giving Lukas Jutkiewicz the chance to continue his revival in the Birmingham side, with Reda Khadra proving the support alongside him. This partnership proved fruitful in the draw last weekend against Blackburn, with the pair being given the chance to shine again against Swansea.