Ah, sure now, the Championship relegation battle is hotter than a Dublin chipper on a Saturday night! As things stand with sports betting, it’s all up for grabs with teams scrambling not to be the one sinking faster than a pint at a wedding. This bookie is about to get interesting!
Let’s take a peep at the Championship table and see who might be taking the unfortunate plunge.
Championship Table – The Thick of It
- 17 | Stoke – 50 pts | GD: -16
- 18 | QPR – 50 pts | GD: -16
- 19 | Blackburn – 49 pts | GD: -16
- 20 | Plymouth – 48 pts | GD: -11
- 21 | Sheff Wed – 47 pts | GD: -29
- 22 | Birmingham – 46 pts | GD: -16
- 23 | Huddersfield – 44 pts | GD: -27
- 24 | Rotherham – 24 pts | GD: -53
As the saying goes, 50 points might just keep you safe, but with everyone from 23rd up to 17th still not out of the woods, it’s a real nail-biter with only two games to go.
Odds and Sods: The Betting on Who’s Going Down
Our friends at Sky Bet are giving us the lowdown on who’s likely to drop:
- Huddersfield: 1/12 – About as likely as rain in Galway, they are.
- Birmingham: 4/6 – Not looking too rosy.
- Sheffield Wednesday: 7/4 – Could the Owls be staging a great escape?
- Plymouth: 11/2 – Hanging on by the skin of their teeth.
- Blackburn: 8/1 – A bit of breathing room, thank heavens!
- QPR: 28/1 – Nearly safe, by the looks of it.
- Stoke: 100/1 – Sure, they’re nearly on their holidays!
Matchups to Watch
Sheffield Wednesday just might’ve done themselves a huge favour by beating Blackburn. They’re out of the drop zone for the first time since last summer, God bless ’em. It’s Sunderland away next, then they’re at home to West Brom. Talk about tough!
Meanwhile, Huddersfield need a win against Birmingham in their next match or they’re as good as down. They finish off at home against Swansea, who have nowt to play for, but it could be all over by then.
Birmingham have a real fight on their hands. Their last two games are against Huddersfield and Norwich. It’s do or die, so it is.
Steady Stoke and Plucky Plymouth
Stoke have pulled themselves together lately, not half bad. And Plymouth, fair play to them, have turned things around just in time with a couple of crucial wins. They’re off to Millwall next, where a win could see them safe and sound.
Rangers Not Out of the Woods Yet
QPR under Martí Cifuentes are looking alright, but two tough games to end the season could still see them in a spot of bother if they’re not careful.
And there you have it! It’s all to play for in the Championship. Sure, it’s more twists and turns than a country road in Kerry. Who do you reckon will be taking the drop?
Let’s not forget about Blackburn, who was unexpectedly dragged back into the thick of it after a weekend loss. They’re still at decent odds of 1/20 to stay up, with two teams below them before they hit the dreaded drop zone. They’re not clear yet, though, with an FA Cup semi-finalist Coventry next, followed by a trip to Leicester on the final day. Both games are tough as old boots, but hopefully, they’ve amassed enough points to keep their heads above water.
QPR’s Last Stand
Even with a bit of cushion, QPR can’t be having any slippages now. They’re welcoming Leeds next, and a loss there could turn up the pressure. Their final match could be a decider if things go pear-shaped in the earlier game. The Rangers will be hoping their mid-season revival under Cifuentes is enough to carry them through to safety.
A Look at the Managers
It’s been a season of musical chairs for some of these teams with managers. Sheffield Wednesday’s turnaround might just be enough to write a fairy tale ending to their tumultuous season. On the other side, Huddersfield and Birmingham have had their share of managerial upheavals, impacting their performances when stability was needed most.
Birmingham has seen Gary Rowett return to the helm in hopes of a rescue mission, and with the season ticking down, every decision now is make or break.
The Final Countdown
As the season nears its dramatic conclusion, the teams in the relegation scrap will be doing all but laying down to give their all in the final acts of this play. With high stakes, expect some heart-stopping moments, last-minute goals, and the kind of drama only football can provide.
So, grab your crisps and your pints, because these last couple of matches are going to be better than any old soap opera. It’s a fierce battle to stay in the Championship, and nobody wants to be the one to fall at the final hurdle. Let’s see who’s got the luck of the Irish on their side, or who’ll be left wishing they had just a bit more of that fighting spirit. Either way, it’s sure to be a grand show!
