Mejbri starts: The predicted Birmingham City XI to face WBA on Wednesday | OneFootball

Birmingham City will be looking make it back to back wins for the first time this season on Wednesday night, when they travel to The Hawthorns to face West Brom.

A 1-0 win away at Preston last time out represented just a second league win of the season for the Blues, as they look to kickstart their campaign after a slow start.

West Brom meanwhile, have drawn six of their eight Championship outings so far, meaning the promotion push many expected from them has so far yet to materialise.

Given the fact this is of course, also a Midlands derby, Wednesday’s match is one that the Blues will no doubt be targeting for three points.

With that in mind, we’ve taken a look at the Birmingham lineup that head coach John Eustace could name in an attempt to get that victory, right here.

Having often used a version of a 3-5-2 system so far this season, that is the formation we are expecting Eustace to go for again here.

In goal, John Ruddy has established himself as the club’s first choice option, so he should start between the posts here.

With Nico Gordon and Harlee Dean still working their way back up to full fitness, Aaron Trusty, Marc Roberts and Dion Sanderson should once again make up the back three.

Given West Ham loanee Emmanuel Longelo featured for the Under 21s on Monday as he builds up his fitness, it would be a surprise if he starts here, meaning Jordan Graham ought to keep his place at left wing-back.

On the right meanwhile, Maxime Colin – the matchwinner at Preston last time out – should be well set to keep his spot in the starting lineup.

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Having yet to make a start since joining on loan from Manchester United late in the summer transfer window, the extra preparation time ahead of this one means now be a good time to give Hannibal Mejbri his full Birmingham debut.

Indeed, the atmosphere around a derby is something that the young attacking midfielder should thrive on, and he could be joined in the centre of the park by his former Red Devils teammate Tahith Chong, along with Juninho Bacuna.

That would then give Krystian Bielik something of a break, as he continues to build up his fitness.

Leading the line, Scott Hogan should retain his place in the side as Birmingham’s top scorer this season – albeit only with two – while the fact Troy Deeney is yet to score in eight Championship outings this season, means it could be worth handing Lukas Jutkiewicz just his second league start of the campaign.