The Championship Relegation Battle: The Final Four

Written by: Adam Jones

As the Championship season approaches its end, I take a look at who could go down and who’s likely to survive in the all important relegation battle. Ipswich Town have already been relegated after their 1-1 draw against Birmingham City at the weekend. Do I think Reading will stay up? Find out below…

QPR:

Blackburn (H) – D

Derby County (A) – L

Nottingham Forest (H) – W

Sheffield Wednesday (A) – L

Current Points Total: 48

Predicted Points Total: 52

QPR were never really sucked in to this campaign’s relegation battle. Their 4-0 home win against Swansea City on Saturday pretty much guaranteed their Championship status. Their caretaker manager John Eustace is likely to have a mixed end to the season, I back them to win against Nottingham Forest.

Birmingham City:

Derby County (H) – L

Rotherham United (A) – D

Wigan Athletic (H) – W

Reading (A) – D

Current Points Total: 46

Predicted Points Total: 51

I back Birmingham City to have a comfortable end to the season. They face three relegation rivals in the run in, which could help them collect the points needed to secure their Championship status. Both Birmingham City and Reading could be safe going in to the final game of the season between the two sides.

Reading:

Bristol City (A) – D

West Brom (H) – D

Middlesbrough (A) – L

Birmingham City (H) – D

Current Points Total: 44

Predicted Points Total: 47

The Royals have several tough fixtures coming up including play-off contenders Bristol City and West Brom. Great recent home form has allowed Reading to gain the vital points they have desperately needed to stay afloat in the Championship thus far. They may not win another game this season, but I back them to avoid the drop.

Millwall:

Brentford (H) – D

Aston Villa (A) – L

Stoke City (H) – W

Bristol City (H) – D

Wigan Athletic (A) – D

Current Points Total: 42

Predicted Points Total: 48

Millwall have a game in hand over all of the other teams in this relegation battle, which could be vital to their chances of survival. They have three home games which they can take advantage of. These home games will be vital in avoiding relegation, I back them to survive this season.

Wigan Athletic:

Leeds United (A) – L

Preston North End (H) – W

Birmingham City (A) – L

Millwall (H) – D

Current Points Total: 42

Predicted Points Total: 46

The Latics have a tough run of fixtures coming up, including a trip to Elland Road in their next game. They also have a decent Preston North End side to play, as well as having to make the trip to St Andrews to face off against Birmingham City. They will probably stay up, but it will be a close call with Rotherham United capable of picking up shocks wins and draws.

Rotherham United:

Swansea City (A) – L

Birmingham City (H) – D

West Brom (A) – L

Middlesbrough (H) – W

Current Points Total: 40

Predicted Points Total: 44

The Millers have put up a brave fight this season, after they started the season as clear relegation favourites. It’s a credit to their club that they are still putting up a serious fight at this stage of the season. They will probably miss out on safety by a point or two. If they do go down, they may not be back for a while, so I hope for their sake that they can pull off a few shock results.

Bolton Wanderers:

Aston Villa (H) – L

Blackburn Rovers (A) – L

Brentford (H) – D

Nottingham Forest (A) – L

Current Points Total: 32

Predicted Points Total: 33

Bolton Wanderers are all but down already. Their owner has quite clearly neglected this great club. The supporters deserve better, hopefully we will see them back in the Championship as soon as possible. I wish them luck in League One next season, as their prospects of survival are slowly diminishing.

PREDICTED TABLE:

17^th: QPR – 52 points

18^th: Birmingham City – 51 points

19^th: Millwall – 48 points

20^th: Reading – 47 points

21^st: Wigan Athletic – 46 points

22^nd: Rotherham United – 44 points

23^rd: Bolton Wanderers – 33 points