Birmingham City and Sunderland will kick off the final weekend of action in the Championship on Friday as the Blues have now entered the top half of the table after their best run of form to date that has also seen the away side move into 17th.
It’s been a topsy-turvy season for both clubs, as they have hit positive form at different times throughout the campaign with Sunderland's decent start coming to an end in recent weeks.
Sights set on Sunderland! 👀🤝 pic.twitter.com/OAVKZayZqn— Birmingham City FC (@BCFC) November 10, 2022
Sights set on Sunderland! 👀🤝 pic.twitter.com/OAVKZayZqn
The Black Cats have managed to win just two of their last six fixtures throughout the last month, beating Wigan Athletic 2-1 before defeats from Blackburn Rovers and Burnley.
They also drew with Luton Town soon after the loss to Burnley, before collecting all three points from Huddersfield Town 2-0 in Yorkshire.
However, a defeat to Cardiff City last time out launched the club down into 17th and closer to the relegation zone than they have been this season, as only four points separate them and West Bromwich Albion down in 22nd.
On the other hand, this does mean it is mathematically impossible to move into the relegation spots before the World Cup at the end of the week, but if results go against them, the club could be in some trouble when action resumes in December.
Birmingham are back out again after only playing on Tuesday, meaning no side in the EFL this weekend has had a busier schedule before the break.
The Blues secured a 2-2 draw with Swansea City on Tuesday, which has now extended their unbeaten run in the Championship to four games - this is their best run of form so far this campaign.
Birmingham beat the playoff hopefuls Queens Park Rangers at the end of October, before a 0-0 draw with Millwall and a victory over Stoke City. The Midlands giants are now up to 10th in the second tier.
Although the two are in contrasting forms right now, both have had different paths to get to where they are in the league table.
Birmingham will be one of the few teams who are not so happy about the World Cup break, given how they have vastly improved over the last few weeks. For Sunderland, however, it could be a welcomed reset.
Moreover, Forebet predicts them to lose again here and for Birmingham to test the waters of the top eight with a victory and under 2.5 goals in this game at home.