Birmingham City's Championship death wish as Sheffield Wednesday inflict killer blow

Birmingham City’s Sky Bet Championship fate is officially out of their hands following the dismal 1-1 draw away at Huddersfield Town on Saturday afternoon.

Blues have fumbled twice in as many matches as Gary Rowett’s men failed to beat the already-relegated Rotherham United last week. Just one win out of the two fixtures would have seen Plymouth Argyle in the bottom three instead but Blues, due to their own ineptitude and apparent Championship death wish, are the side occupying 22nd.

The final day of the campaign is next Saturday, May 4, but even a victory against Norwich City isn’t guaranteed to seal Birmingham’s safety. It’s been a season of chaos with three permanent managers and three interims but not many could have genuinely expected Blues to be in their current position when John Eustace left.

Up in sixth place and dreaming of a play-off fight or at least a top-half finish, Birmingham were flying back in October. Huddersfield Town had just been thrashed 4-1 at St Andrew’s and local rivals West Bromwich Albion were beaten 2-1 courtesy of a late Gary Gardner free-kick. But fast forward six months and it’s a disaster.

Sheffield Wednesday’s recent success has punished Blues for their struggles. Danny Rohl has done a tremendous job of leading the South Yorkshire side to three wins and two draws in their last five games, clawing them into a strong position. Saturday’s 3-0 win over West Brom has soared them to 20th, even above Plymouth.

Final day fixtures and permutations

Birmingham know they must beat Norwich on May 4 to have a realistic chance of staying in the Championship. The gap to Plymouth in 21st is one point but the separation in goal difference is four. Argyle losing by five goals or more to play-off chasers Hull City would mean a draw is enough for Blues, but that’s unlikely.

If Rowett’s men win, the three points move the total to 50, giving a great probability of survival. But if three results happen elsewhere, Blues will still be relegated: Plymouth beating Hull, Wednesday drawing or better at Sunderland and Blackburn avoiding defeat at the already-promoted Leicester.

To clarify, if Birmingham claim three points and any of Plymouth, Wednesday or Blackburn lose, then Championship football will be confirmed for next year. And, as mentioned, a draw will only be enough if Plymouth lose by a significant margin. Huddersfield are as good as down due to their goal difference.