Birmingham City are one of the Championship's in-form sides and few would have predicted how good they've been at the start of the season.

They go into their game away at Burton Albion in fifth in the league and another three points will definitely be on the agenda for Gary Rowett's side.

It's also a return to Rowett's former club, whom he managed before taking up the role at St Andrews back in 2014.

But old friendships will be put to the side this evening and Rowett will know his team are good enough to beat a Burton side that sit 19th in the division.

So with that in mind, how should the Blues line up for this one? Should it be all-out attack against one of the Championship's leakiest defences or a more considered approach?

Here's our Birmingham City XI that we think will thrash the Brewers this evening...

GK: Adam Legzdins

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Despite Tomasz Kuszczak's return to full-fitness, Adam Legzdins continues to maintain the position of first-team goalkeeper, and it's tough to see him being pulled from the side any time soon.

He's played extremely well since being given his chance against Reading back in September.

RB: Jonathan Spector

Jonathan Spectord

American international Jonathan Spector is a regular face on this Birmingham teamsheet, especially in Paul Caddis' continued absence.

He's not the most forward-thinking full-back you'll see in the division but defensively, he's extremely sound indeed.

CB: Michael Morrison

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Former Huddersfield Town man Michael Morrison continues to captain the side from the back-four and like many others in this team, he's been superb so far this season.

He's combative, aggressive and a real leader on the pitch. He's not coming out of the side for a very long time indeed.

CB: Ryan Shotton

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Former Stoke City man Ryan Shotton has really excelled at St Andrews following his permanent switch to the Midlands this summer.

Had a slightly shaky appearance at full-back in the defeat to Nottingham Forest but looked far more comfortable against Rotherham alongside trusted partner Michael Morrison.

LB: Jonathan Grounds

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It's good to see Jonathan Grounds playing well in the Birmingham City first-team, after all, he's been a player that has divided opinion amongst supporters for some time now.

Again, he's not the most attacking going forward but his delivery into the box is always decent and defensively, people are struggling to get past him too.

CDM: Maikel Kieftenbeld

Kieftenbeld

Dutch midfielder Maikel Kieftenbeld is as good a Championship midfielder as you'll see this season.

The former Gronigen man is gritty and really isn't afraid to do the dirty work to allow his team-mates to get forward. He can also score goals too, with many Blues fans remembering the stunner he scored against Derby County last season.

CDM: Steven Gleeson

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Steven Gleeson has come back into the Blues first-team after a spell on the sidelines and his confidence looks to be picking up week-after-week.

The former MK Dons man isn't best known for his flair or ability to take on players, rather his ability to move the ball quickly and bring his team-mates into the game.

RM: Jacques Maghoma

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Former Burton Albion man Jacques Maghoma is returning to the Pirelli in arguably the best form of his career.

He's playing fantastically well of late and will be buoyed by confidence after a wonderful goal in the win over Rotherham in the week.

For Blues fans, it will be more of the same please.

CAM: Che Adams

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Rowett opted to play 4-4-2 on Tuesday night against Rotherham but in typical fashion, we're expecting him to revert back to the 4-2-3-1 with Adams playing in behind the striker this evening.

And Adams has taken little time to adjust to life at St Andrews. Despite scoring just twice, his pace, skill and energy have been vital in the bulk of Birmingham's attacking success so far this campaign.

LM: David Cotterill

David Cotterill

David Cotterill is another player who has come back into the Birmingham first-team fold in recent weeks and is showing supporters why he deserves a place in the first team.

His delivery is always excellent and he also dispatched a penalty in the game against Rotherham on Tuesday evening.

If he can keep his good form up, he'll be difficult to displace in this team.

ST: Lukas Jutkiewicz

Lukas Jutkiewicz

Birmingham's on-loan striker Lukas Jutkiewicz has been absolutely immense since joining on-loan from Burnley this summer.

He was restricted to substitute appearances at the start of his spell but an injury to Clayton Donaldson meant he was given his chance a few weeks back and he just hasn't stopped scoring.

He's scored four in six games and despite Donaldson being fit again, Jutkiewicz is the man in the goals and should continue to play.