Christian Walton has kept 13 clean sheets this season (Image: Ross Halls)
Goalkeeper: CHRISTIAN WALTON
A safe pair of hands. Walton has done fantastically well since replacing Alex Palmer between the sticks, climbing to seventh in the all-time Town standings for clean sheets with 54 in 126 games.
A 14th blank of the season would be a great base from which the Blues can build tomorrow. Will likely have to be prepared for plenty of physicality and rough-housing from the other Blues, especially from set pieces.
Darnell Furlong (Image: Steve Waller)
Right-back: DARNELL FURLONG
No surprise here, Mr Consistent has started 32 games in the league for the Blues since arriving from West Brom in August.
The man who revealed his huge passion for F1 recently will no doubt have his engines revving for today’s battle. Expect to see him winding up both Brum’s players and fans – and I like that edge to him.
Dara O’Shea has yet to be booked this season (Image: Ross Halls)
Right-sided centre back: Dara O’Shea
Skipper is another nailed-on starter for this one, and has recovered well from that dreadful showing at Wrexham back in February, the last time Town lost.
Still hasn’t been booked this season, which is pretty remarkable. Last shown a yellow card in the weird 3-2 defeat at Old Trafford back in February 2025.
Cedric Kipre returns after a two-match ban (Image: Ross Halls)
Left-sided centre back: CEDRIC KIPRE
Man mountain returns from serving his two game ban after getting a tenth yellow card for the penalty that wasn’t against Stoke City – make that make sense – and I fancy he’ll go straight back into the starting XI here.
Had started 22 games in a row before his enforced absence, and his physical presence will surely be needed in this one. Always feels harsh on Jacob Greaves, but I’d be going with Kipre here.
Ben Johnson in action. (Image: Ross Halls)
Left-back: BEN JOHNSON
With Leif Davis serving the last match of his three game ban, I’d imagine Johnson will continue to deputise for him – and he’s done a decent job to be fair.
Greaves would be an option here too, of course, but Johnson probably has the edge in this role.
Azor Matusiwa has been immense this season (Image: Steve Waller)
Defensive midfielder: AZOR MATUSIWA
Another nailed-on starter, Matusiwa will want to make amends for the reverse fixture, which he has since admitted came as a bit of shock to his system on his full Town debut.
Has come on so much since then, and is absolutely vital to the way Town play. He’s dropped to second in the Championship for total interceptions with 66, behind Blackburn’s Sean McLoughlin (74), but has a fantastic knack for breaking up play and winning the ball back.
Dan Neil (Image: Ross Halls)
Attacking midfielder: DAN NEIL
Matusiwa has had three different partners in the engine room this season, with Jens Cajuste, Jack Taylor and latterly Neil filling that role.
I fancy Neil to take it on tomorrow. He brings elements of what both Cajuste and Taylor offer, in terms of a blend of creativity and industry, and spoke recently of how much he’s enjoying playing with Matusiwa.
Kasey McAteer on the ball at Hull. (Image: Ross Halls)
Right winger: KASEY MCATEER
Ideally, Wes Burns would be fit – and I’m starting him every time here when he is. But the flying Welshman is ‘touch and go’, so if he’s not ready, I think McAteer – with his Burns-like qualities – is the most suitable replacement in a game like this.
Sindre Walle Egeli is the other option here, unless McKenna wants to try Jack Clarke on this wing again to get both he and Philogene into the XI. Personally, I don’t think that works.
Anis Mehmeti is always a threat to create something (Image: Ross Halls)
No.10: ANIS MEHMETI
Marcelino Nunez is another on the ‘touch and go’ list and, if he’s not fit, this is another spot that Clarke could perhaps be tried in.
But I like Mehmeti here. Often Town’s most creative player, plus he works very hard and brings a bit of swagger to proceedings.
Jaden Philogene is the King of Portman Road (Image: PA Sport)
Left winger: JADEN PHILOGENE
The King of Portman Road, Philogene has bagged all nine of his league goals this season – plus a tenth in the FA Cup – at Town’s home.
Hopefully he’ll be ready to start again after a couple of months out with that knee injury. Feels harsh on Jack Clarke, now Town’s leading scorer with 14, but I want to see if Philogene can pick up where he left off pre-injury. And Clarke’s a pretty decent option to have off the bench…
Will George Hirst get the nod today? (Image: Ross Halls)
Striker: GEORGE HIRST
I genuinely don’t know who McKenna sees as his starting striker now. Hirst and Ivan Azon have both had spells leading the line, and both have had stretches of poor form.
Hirst has nine strikes to his name, compared to Azon’s five, which is a decent return between them. I just feel like Hirst will get the nod tomorrow.