ANALYSED: THE CHAMPIONSHIP RELEGATION RUN-IN

Comparing Cardiff, Huddersfield, Blackpool and Wigan' next 5 Championship fixtures
YorkshireLive

Cardiff, Huddersfield, Blackpool and Wigan are in the thick of the relegation battle heading into the business end of the campaign

Huddersfield face an uphill battle to propel themselves out of the relegation zone over the coming weeks but a comeback victory against Birmingham City has Terriers supporters believing their side can beat the drop.

As it stands, the Terriers are two points adrift from safety and face a daunting trip to leaders Burnley this Saturday. Looking beyond that, the picture looks even more pessimistic. Yorkshire Live have assessed Town and their rivals next five matches in the Championship relegation battle:


Cardiff City
With their next five opponents having an average league position of 13.8th, Cardiff have the easiest month fixture-wise. A monumental six-pointer awaits Warnock’s former club on March 18 against Rotherham United.

Next five games:
Norwich (a)
Bristol City (h)
Preston (a)
West Brom (h)
Rotherham (a)

Average position: 13.8th


Rotherham United
The fixture list has also been kind to the Millers this month. Bar the Cardiff clash, Rotherham also take on Preston North End and Queens Park Rangers at home - two clubs in the bottom half of the table.

Next five games:
Sunderland (h)
Swansea (a)
QPR (h)
Birmingham (a)
Preston (h)

Average position: 13.4th


Blackpool
Blackpool’s opponents have an average league position of 11.4th but, looking a little deeper, their month may not be as easy as that figure suggests. Three of their next five fixtures are away from home, with Burnley - flying high at the top of the table - set to travel to Bloomfield Road on March 4.

Next five games:
Blackburn (a)
Reading (a)
Burnley (h)
Bristol City (a)
QPR (h)

Average position: 11.4th


Huddersfield Town
Warnock bemoaned his luck when citing the upcoming fixture list. A much-needed win against Birmingham City at the weekend provides some momentum ahead of a tricky month.

Burnley are the team to beat in the Championship, while Coventry City, West Bromwich Albion and Norwich all have an outside chance of promotion. A better picture of Huddersfield’s survival chances will be painted by March 15.

Next five games:
Burnley (a)
Coventry (h)
Bristol City (h)
West Brom (a)
Norwich (h)

Average position: 9.2nd


Wigan Athletic
Wigan are in freefall, winning just one of their last 11 games. The Latics only have a marginally easier run than Huddersfield on paper. Three tricky away games against Preston, West Brom and Burnley is also ominous.

Next five games:
Preston (a)
Birmingham (h)
West Brom (a)
Burnley (a)
Coventry (h)

Average position: 10.8th

The website fivethirtyeight.com list the following chances of relegation based on their reliable rating system and games to play:

Chances of relegation - (As of this morning)

Stoke - 1%
Bristol - 2%
Preston - 2%
Reading - 5%
Hull - 4%
QPR - 7%
Birmingham - 8%
Cardiff - 29%
Rotherham - 40%
Wigan - 62%
Blackpool - 69%
Huddersfield - 72%

Interesting?

The website fivethirtyeight.com list the following chances of relegation based on their reliable rating system and games to play:

Chances of relegation - (As of this morning)

Stoke - 1%
Bristol - 2%
Preston - 2%
Reading - 5%
Hull - 4%
QPR - 7%
Birmingham - 8%
Cardiff - 29%
Rotherham - 40%
Wigan - 62%
Blackpool - 69%
Huddersfield - 72%

Interesting?

Very interesting, Paul. Thanks...

Seems the current bottom 5 are the only realistic candidates, with the Bluebirds and Rotherham being the more likely to survive...

It's still a worrying time but at least we have something to play for...

It's really when you play the teams, and what the current form is like, it looks like a great time to play QPR, Swansea, Preston, Huddersfield, Reading, Blackpool, and Birmingham

Rotherham have some good fixtures.

Wigan is currently above us on the current form table.

https://thefishy.co.uk/formtable.php?table=2