The best combined Birmingham City and Wolves XI right now ft Klarer & Jimenez | OneFootball

FLW have combined the best stars from St. Andrew's @ Knighthead Park and Molineux into an exciting lineup

One of the standout early-season fixtures in the Championship is upon us this Sunday, as Birmingham City face off against Wolverhampton Wanderers at St. Andrew's @ Knighthead Park.

Although this encounter isn't a fixture which takes top priority for Blues and Wolves supporters due to even more intense feuds with Aston Villa and West Bromwich Albion respectively, it has still certainly provided plenty of drama over the years.

It is the first taste of this clash for both Chris Davies and Cesar Peixoto, and with the two sides only suffering one loss between them in the opening four matches of the season, it represents a chance for one of the West Midlands sides to lay down a potential early marker in the promotion race.

In midweek, Birmingham held Southampton to a 1-1 draw in B9 in what was a breathless 90 minutes, whilst Wanderers succumbed to a 4-2 loss at West Ham United.

With that in mind, plenty of high-profile names will be on display in the Second City, and Football League World have looked at the best combined XI at this moment in time from the two squads.

GK: Jose Sa

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It appeared as though Jose Sa was set to initially leave Wolves this summer following their relegation, but following the departures of Daniel Bentley and Sam Johnstone, the Portuguese international is back as Peixoto's 'number one' for the meantime.

The 33-year-old has kept 41 clean sheets in 174 matches for the Old Gold and Black thus far, and will be hoping for a first shutout of the new season against Birmingham, which would provide a major confidence boost heading into an intriguing block of fixtures.

RB: Bright Osayi-Samuel

Bright Osayi-Samuel endured a difficult first season with Birmingham after joining on a free transfer, and there was even talk of an exit this summer.

However, the Nigerian international has made a strong start to the current campaign, especially from a defensive standpoint, averaging 6.8 recovery tackles in the first four matches.

CB: Christoph Klarer

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Although Phil Neumann scored twice against Wrexham on August 28th, it is hard to look past Birmingham captain, Christoph Klarer, as another inclusion from the St. Andrew's outfit.

The Austrian has been a colossal figure ever since arriving from SV Darmstadt two years ago, providing a threat from attacking set-pieces whilst rarely putting a foot wrong at the heart of his own defence, and that has continued into 2026/27.

CB: Toti Gomes

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Wolves' defence hasn't exactly been perfect in the opening weeks of the season, but Toti Gomes has put in a handful of solid, if not spectacular, performances despite also being linked with a move to Benfica in June.

However, the 27-year-old will hope that he can continue to form a solid partnership with Nasser Djiga, who has started the past four matches in all competitions following a long-term injury to Yerson Mosquera.

LB: Hugo Bueno

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Similarly, Hugo Bueno has the capability to become one of the best left-backs in the Championship over the course of the season.

The Spaniard has worked his way back into Peixoto's starting lineup in the past week after starting the campaign with a minor groin issue, and will be seen as first-choice following the decision to loan David Moller Wolfe to Hamburg SV of the Bundesliga.

DM: Andre

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The first of two deep-lying midfielders is Wolves' Brazilian star, Andre.

The Black Country side sent shockwaves through the Championship when it was confirmed that the 25-year-old signed a new four-year deal post-relegation, and he has already shown glimpses of how he can be a cut above many midfield colleagues in the division with his passing range and reading of the game alongside Marshall Munetsi.

DM: Jhon Solis

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Birmingham fans were full of excitement when Jhon Solis' loan from Girona was turned permanent for £6m this summer, with the Colombian showcasing exactly why he was of interest to Brentford and Leeds United.

The 21-year-old has several impressive attributes that make him a strong fit for Championship football, in particular his combativeness in the middle of the pitch on top of a strong technical ability, with both heavily associated with the South American game.

As such, Davies will hope the aforementioned fee looks a bargain in the years to come through Blues' promotion aims.

RW: Rodrigo Gomes

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Rodrigo Gomes was signed by Wolves for £12.7m two summers ago, and after a mixed performance in the Premier League despite his relatively young age, a term in the Championship could certainly benefit the Portuguese winger.

Despite not being heavily involved in each of Wanderers' four matches in terms of touches, Gomes has already boasted a goal threat with two well-taken finishes in the 4-1 win over Stoke City on August 29th, and he will hope this provides a platform to build from over the course of a gruelling 46-game season.

AM: Fer Lopez

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Fer Lopez has been the standout performer for Peixoto so far this term, with the 22-year-old's start to life in the Championship generating late-window interest from Crystal Palace and Leeds United.

However, Wolves have been able to hold onto their 22-year-old playmaker, who, with his pace, unpredictability and versatility, has already provided two goals and as many assists in the first four matches of the campaign.

As such, Davies will no doubt earmark the £19m man as a major threat to Birmingham's defence on Sunday.

LW: Mateus Mane

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Birmingham have struggled on the left-wing themselves so far this season, meaning that whilst he hasn't exactly set the world alight, Mateus Mane continues our Wolves-heavy attack.

The 18-year-old has been viewed by many as a potential candidate for the Championship's Young Player of the Season award should he continue an upward trajectory which began during the club's relegation season, where he scored three Premier League goals whilst attracting interest from a plethora of top clubs.