The Championship is back this weekend and teams are returning for the final run of games, which are hugely important for some. Teams have just eight games to go, with many still in a position where these games could make or break their season, and for West Brom that is exactly the case right now.

The Baggies are too far back to challenge for automatic promotion, but far enough ahead of the rest in the playoffs that they don’t really need to worry about what it happening behind them. It would take either a big winning run or a big losing run for either of those two things to chance, something I can’t see happening. That puts them in 4th position, with 67 points, seven behind the automatic promotion spots and ten ahead of those outside of the playoffs.

A poor run over the last two or three months has prevented West Brom from challenging for automatic promotion to the Premier League, which they will not be happy about as it looked as though they were making a move into contention before Christmas. That hasn’t worked out for them though, and it also cost Darren Moore his job as manager, showing just how important promotion is to the board.

James Shan has took over on a temporary basis from Moore, and since taking over he has guided the team to back to back wins, which has really lifted the spirit around the club. Although they would prefer a more experienced and well-known name to come in and finish the job off, the board are now in a tricky position as they don’t want to upset Shan and the players. This could lead to him having the job for the rest of the season, which is a big ask for such a young and inexperienced man.

Birmingham Deducted Nine Points

While the international break has been on, Birmingham have been dealt a tough blow with the announcement that they have been deducted nine points due to a failure to comply with the financial fair play rules. During a three year period between 2015 and 2018, Birmingham lost nearly £50 million, while the accepted figure based on their financial calculations was £39 million.

The points deduction has taken Birmingham from being comfortable in mid table in 13th position with 50 points, down to 18th with 41 points, which puts them just five clear of the relegation zone. With eight games left to play, and the fact that they begin back after the international break without a win in their last four, this certainly puts Birmingham in relegation contention and they are going to have to find a way out of this.

The positive for them is that they are better than a relegation team, and they have the quality to win games that others down there wouldn’t be able to. However, a four game losing run and the points deduction on top of that will have done nothing to help team morale, and this is a team struggling. It is vital the management team and the senior players deal with this and don’t let themselves slide any further down the table, otherwise things could get very tight down there for Birmingham.

The Battle for the Playoffs

The top three clubs in the Championship are clear of the rest, but only two of them will get automatic promotion. That means that one of Norwich, Sheffield United and Leeds will be in the playoffs, and probably automatically installed as the favourites to win them.

West Brom will be the second team guaranteed a spot behind them, assuming nothing strange happens between now and the end of the season. Their chances all rest on their form between now and then, and also what happens with their manager situation. This team is good enough to challenge, but they have to find some form and become a happy football club once again.

Behind West Brom, it really is anyone’s guess who is going to make it in and who will miss out, with so many teams close together battling it out. Going into this weekend, Middlesbrough on 58 points and Aston Villa on 57 are the two teams that are in, but teams are queueing up behind them waiting for either to make a mistake.

Preston are the closest, level on 57 points with Villa, while Derby are a further point back on 56. Bristol City and Sheffield Wednesday are two points off Villa on 55 points, while Nottingham Forest round things off with 54, just three off Aston Villa. Seven clubs are in this battle, and just two spots for the playoffs are left to fight for, the end to this Championship season is going to give us fascinating viewing.

West Brom vs Birmingham Betting Tips

A game that will affect both ends of the table on Friday night, and could shape the rest of the season for Birmingham if they manage to bounce back here with a win. I don’t think they will though, I think West Brom are far too strong for them.

The Baggies no doubt have the talent in their squad to challenge in the playoffs, despite their recent run. There was something causing the players to be unhappy, and that appears to have been lifted recently. A solid run in until the end of the season, winning games and getting prepared for the playoffs is exactly what they need, and exactly what I think they will get.

Birmingham have a few problems to think about after cruising in mid table, and relegation is something they do need to worry about. They are just five above the drop zone, and I don’t see them picking anything up here.

I am backing a West Brom win on Friday night as The Baggies continue to push on, and Birmingham move closer to the relegation zone.

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