Championship Preview – Matchday 42

Ipswich Town’s relegation to League One will be confirmed if they fail to beat Birmingham City on Saturday afternoon.

Even a victory may not be enough to save them, that is if Wigan Athletic, Reading and Millwall all get positive results from their respective games.

After a run of five straight defeats, Birmingham have taken four points from the last six available and three points here would go a long way to ensuring they will be playing second tier football next term.

Time is also running out for Bolton Wanderers, who face a tough trip to play-off hopefuls Derby County though Rotherham United, who will certainly fancy their chances of beating the drop travel to a Stoke City side who sit comfortably in midtable.

Countdown

After taking a welcome point from their trip to leaders Norwich City on Wednesday evening, Reading host Brentford while Millwall travel to a Sheffield United side who will move back into the top two, even if just temporarily should they avoid defeat.

Fourth place West Bromwich Albion can tighten their grip on a play-off place with victory over a Preston North End side who’s own top six aspirations have been dealt a huge blow after three straight defeats.

Like Preston, Nottingham Forest are eight points off the top six ahead of their match with Blackburn Rovers while seventh faces ninth as Middlesbrough welcome Hull City to the Riverside Stadium.

Slump

Queens Park Rangers have taken just seven points from fifty-two so far in 2019 host Swansea City while perhaps the game of the day takes place at Villa Park, where Aston Villa play Bristol City.

The Villains go in to the game one point and one place better off than the Robins having played a game more and whatever happens this weekend, they will be to occupiers of fifth and sixth place – it just remains to be seen who will be highest.

Chase

Saturday’s action concludes at Elland Road, where Leeds United take on Sheffield Wednesday, who begin the weekend six points shy of sixth place.

As well as concentrating on their own objective, the Owls will play a huge part in helping decide who will clinch the Championship title, with Norwich City their opponents next weekend.

The Canaries may have dropped two points midweek but are six clear of Leeds ahead of matchday forty-two, and their trip to face a Wigan Athletic side fighting for their lives at the other end of the table.

You can back Daniel Farke’s men to seal what would be a fifth straight away win at a price of 4/5, while should they take all three points, just two more victories after that would be enough for them to clinch the title.