![\"Alex](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/1750529231_253_Alex-Dicken-Birmingham-Mail.jpg\")
<\/p>\nBirmingham City take on Swansea City in their next Championship match at St Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park<\/p>\n
Birmingham City reporter for BirminghamLive and the Birmingham Mail<\/p>\n
![\"Kyogo](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/0_JS376929550.jpg\")
Kyogo Furuhashi of Birmingham City<\/p>\n
Birmingham City are looking to halt a run of three straight defeats without scoring against Swansea City today.<\/p>\n
Blues<\/a> have never lost a league game on home soil under Chris Davies<\/a> and could use some home comforts after two difficult defeats on the road in the Championship.<\/p>\n Davies has some selection dilemmas, most notably in his misfiring attack, that he needs to navigate before seventh-placed Swansea arrive at St Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park.<\/a><\/p>\n Our Blues writers have given their thoughts and predicted line-ups ahead of Saturday’s fixture…<\/p>\n Alex Dicken<\/p>\n Sorting out Blues\u2019 woes in front of goal is of top priority, but Davies must couple that with ensuring his team can cope at set pieces.<\/p>\n Blues don\u2019t score many, but they don\u2019t concede many either \u2013 unfortunately, those they do concede, are coming at set pieces.<\/p>\n Davies selected an XI against Stoke that only included two outfield players over six feet. To make Blues\u2019 zonal marking on set pieces effective, they need three big bodies.<\/p>\n Which is why I\u2019m making the case for Marvin Ducksch.<\/a> We have seen nothing to suggest he should start against Swansea, but Davies has tried other combinations in attack that haven\u2019t worked.<\/p>\n Ducksch isn\u2019t noted for his aerial ability, but he is 6ft 2in and that size gives Blues a Willum Willumsson-like presence on defensive set pieces.<\/p>\n By playing Ducksch in the number 10 position, Jay Stansfield can stay up front where his pressing and goal-scoring abilities are best utilised in Davies\u2019 system. Demarai Gray and Patrick Roberts are the obvious options out wide.<\/p>\n Will Davies make changes in defence? The only one I see is Bright Osayi-Samuel for Ethan Laird at right-back.<\/p>\n Alex Cochrane had a torrid time in the defeat to Stoke but Davies backed the left-back afterwards and isn\u2019t likely to drop him based on one performance.<\/p>\n (4-2-3-1): Allsop; Osayi-Samuel, Neumann, Klarer, Cochrane; Paik, Iwata; Roberts, Ducksch, Gray; Stansfield<\/strong><\/p>\n Get the latest Blues headlines sent straight to your phone<\/p>\n BirminghamLive has its very own Birmingham City<\/a> WhatsApp community to deliver the latest headlines straight to your phone. Just click this link<\/a> to receive daily Blues content and breaking news. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don\u2019t like our community, you can check out any time you like. Click on the name at the top of your screen while in WhatsApp and click ‘Exit Group’. Read our Privacy Notice.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Brian Dick<\/p>\n Davies will have his mind on one thing more than anything else – goals, goals, goals – and while we’re certainly not describing those responsible for scoring them as a motley crew, or even a M\u00f6tley Cr\u00fce, finding the right combination will be uppermost in his thoughts.<\/p>\n Blues’ shortcomings in front of goal are becoming increasingly well-documented and Swansea arrive at St Andrew’s with the joint second best defensive record in the Championship.<\/p>\n Most of Blues’ team picks itself, aside from some potential debate around Alex Cochrane after he struggled against Million Manhoef of Stoke City. However, Davies can be incredibly loyal to some players and I’d expect the left-back to retain his spot.<\/p>\n I’d also expect the only change from the defence that started at the bet365 Stadium to come in the other full back spot, with Bright Osayi-Samuel replacing Ethan Laird to play alongside Christoph Klarer and Phil Neumann and in front of Ryan Allsop,<\/p>\n Davies is also wedded to Tomoko Iwata and Paik Sueng-ho in the middle of the park.<\/p>\n So the attacking line is where it becomes difficult with so many options.<\/p>\n Marvin Ducksch hasn’t done much with his game-time, Lewis Koumas has played infield and on the wing, Patrick Roberts is available, as are Demarai Gray and the lesser-spotted Kanya Fujimoto.<\/p>\n Then there’s strikers Lyndon Dykes, Jay Stansfield and even Kyogo Furuhashi who can played behind a front man.<\/p>\n There are almost too many variables, which is why I’d wind it back to the start of the season when Blues were creating chances.<\/p>\n That was with Demarai Gray on one wing and Keshi Anderson on the other, with Stansfield just behind Kyogo. Anderson isn’t available but Roberts is.<\/p>\n