Khadra starts, 5-2-3: The predicted Birmingham City XI to face Preston on Saturday | OneFootball

Birmingham City take on Preston North End in the Sky Bet Championship this weekend, with John Eustace’s side looking for their first league win since mid-December.

It’s been a dire run for Blues, who have lost four straight Championship fixtures. That’s sent them crashing down to 18th in the table, with just six points separating them and the relegation zone now.

Heading into the weekend’s meeting with Preston at St Andrew’s, Birmingham could really do with a result to get the season back moving in the right direction.

A midweek FA Cup win against Forest Green Rovers, which required some serious character to progress into the fourth round, will help with that, alongside giving Eustace something to think about when it comes to selection.

It wasn’t until the second-half when Birmingham got to grips with Forest Green, on the back of a triple change at half-time.

As our graphic below shows, it’s reverting back to what feels like Blues’ ‘Championship side’ that’s the way to go this weekend:

John Ruddy will return in goal, despite Neil Etheridge’s stunning triple save in the FA Cup, behind a five-man defensive unit.

Dion Sanderson, Kevin Long and Auston Trusty feel set to feature at centre-back in the continued absence of Harlee Dean and Marc Roberts, whilst Jordan Graham and Maxime Colin should continue as the go-to wing-backs.

There’s always a place in the side for loanee Krystian Bielik, with Hannibal Mejbri an exciting, attack-minded selection alongside him.

Reda Khadra is available again after he was cup-tied during the week, with the Brighton loan man surely pushing for a start on the left, with Tahith Chong taking on a berth on the right of Scott Hogan.

Quiz: Are these 20 Birmingham City facts real or fake?

1 of 20

Neil Etheridge has played for Walsall

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