Sunderland vs Birmingham vs Derby - who will win the Championship?
The fight for promotion to the Premiership is white hot right now with three teams - Birmingham, Sunderland and Derby County fighting it out for the two automatic promotion spots.
Birmingham are on 83 points, Sunderland on 82 points and the third team - Derby County are on 81 points - 10 points above 4th placed Preston North End. There are two games to go.
Who will get promoted this year to the Premiership?
Let’s first look at the top 3 teams and their remaining fixtures:.
- Birmingham play Sheffield Wednesday at home and Preston away.
- Sunderland play Burnley at home and Luton away.
- Derby play Crystal Palace away and Leeds at home.
It seems that Sunderland have the easier games - they should be able to handle Burnley on Friday night in front of a sell-out crowd of over 40,00 fans at the Stadium of Light, and then they need to negotiate Luton - who are already relegated and struggling.
Birmingham have two tricky fixtures with both their opponents focused on qualification for the play-offs.
Derby may have trouble at Crystal Palace who are now playing much better than earlier in the season but should be able to win against Leeds.
It appears that Sunderland and Birmingham are best positioned for the automatic play-off spots.Once the two automatic berths are decided there will be a four team play-off where all of the following teams could make it …in addition to one of the above three:
Preston, West Bromwich Albion, Wolverhampton, Southampton, Stoke, Colchester United and Sheffield Wednesday.
Whatever happens Sunderland are almost certain to be promoted in this their first year under new manager Roy Keane and it will be a great achievement for the club and Chairman Niall Quinn to bounce back first time to the Premiership.
When Sunderland do make it back look for Roy Keane to sign at least six class players to ensure Sunderland’s survival in the top flight - and don’t be surprised if Sunderland are challenging for a European spot the next year.
Who do you think will win the Championship? And do you think Sunderland will be able to do a Reading next season?
Author Ed Harrison also writes on the Newcastle United blog.
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- Brucey and Birmingham City need a bit of luck this season
- Should Sunderland be higher up the table?
- What do Derby County offer that Sunderland don’t?
- Sunderland Sex Tape
Discussion - 8 Responses
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Ed, you know where I stand on this.
Sunderland will get promoted for sure, the big question is whether they can get their top spot back.
Think Sunderland can almost tie it up against Burnley on Friday - attendance should be sell-out.
Just be careful…. Birmingham have lost 12 games this season. 10 were against bottom half teams including a double loss against relegated Luton. 2 games ago we were out of it,now after 2 very losable games we are top. If Sunderland can get hammered by Colchester, they can certainly slip up against Burnley. Blackwell has warned the Luton players that they are playing for their footballing futures and they did not deserve to lose against Derby. By all means consider Sunderland as favourites, but deem it a certainty at your peril!
The away games will be very interesting. I guess the Derby game with Crystal Palace should pretty much settle the issue if Derby don’t win and Birmingham and Sunderland do.
SteveD’s note of caution is a wise one! I am sure the Lads and Keano will not be underestimating the challenge of either team. Having seen many disappointments over the years as a Cat’s fan this is the time I hate the most. The prize is in sight but we are not across the line yet! Though you can’t help feeling if we put the effort and focus into these two games we will get back into the ‘Promised Land’. Icing on the cake would be that top spot. I just hope Birmingham have one last little blip!! Comon You Black Cats!!
Form tends to br thrown out of the window.
Still think Sunderland will get promoted….second place will do.
I can honestly say that I’m happy for us to be promoted in 2nd place. Sure, to come above Birmingham would be superb but the championship title means nothing. We’ve won it before and it doesn’t prove that you to deserve to be in, or stay in the premiership.
We’re up, now we need to focus on staying up.
Sunderland till I die
Looks like all 3 went up