Oxford United welcome newly-promoted Birmingham City this weekend for the first time in 28 years.

The U's last faced Blues at home back in 1998, with the visitors thrashing Oxford 7-1 in the old Division One.

After beating Leicester City 2-1 last weekend, Matt Bloomfield's Yellows are looking to remain unbeaten under their new head coach against a Birmingham side who lack form on the road.

READ MORE: Myles Peart-Harris' instant Oxford United impact analysed

Oxford switched to a back five for the win at the King Power, but will Bloomfield keep that set up?

We have predicted how the U's will look at the Kassam this Saturday...

Goalkeeper and defence

Obviously, Jamie Cumming will start in-between the sticks.

Here is where it gets interesting. With the U's returning home against a side who struggle to impose themselves away, we are going to predict a return to a back four in a 4-1-4-1 system.

This would most likely consist of, from right to left, Brodie Spencer, Sam Long, Ciaron Brown, and Jack Currie, who are all in form and were excellent at Leicester.

Ben Davies drops out, but that is the sacrifice that is made with a back four.

Because of the renewed depth after some great January transfer business, picking the midfield feels more difficult than previously.

Jamie McDonnell should retain his place after an impressive 90 minutes against the Foxes; he provides much-needed bite and covers a lot of ground.

Alongside him will be skipper Cameron Brannagan.

Oxford United celebrate Sam Long's opener against Leicester (Image: ©Jason Dawson)

The defensive midfield slot is tricky, with Brian De Keersmaecker, Yunus Konak, and Will Vaulks all available. We will go with the Belgian who has had some much-needed rest and provided an assist off the bench in the Leicester win.

Trying him as a pivot might be interesting for Bloomfield.

Expect to see a cameo from Konak whom the boss is eager to give more playing time to.

The wide men in Stan Mills and Myles Peart-Harris, who was outstanding last weekend, should retain their spots.

Up top, despite a goal and great display from Mark Harris last time out, we will opt for a start for Will Lankshear.

His physicality and goalmouth presence will look to trouble the Birmingham back line at home with the U's likely to have more of the ball than the 22 per cent they managed at Leicester.

Oxford lost 1-0 to the Blues in the reverse fixture and will be eager to get their revenge in an attempt to remain unbeaten under Bloomfield and survive in the Championship.

Options on the bench include Harris, new signing Jeon Jin-woo, and Konak.

Here is the final predicted XI:

Cumming; Spencer, Long, Brown, Currie; De Keersmaecker, Mills, McDonnell, Brannagan, Peart-Harris; Lankshear

© Oxford Mail