Easter Monday brings us some important and pivotal fixtures in the Championship and the action starts with a look ahead to an important clash between third from bottom club, Rotherham United and visitors Birmingham City with a precious three points up for grabs for both teams at the AESSEAL New York Stadium.
Rotherham United were handed a fourth defeat in six matches in the Championship on Good Friday when they lost 4-3 away at Swansea City which followed earlier defeats to Norwich City, Derby County and Aston Villa.
Despite losing, Rotherham manager, Paul Warne would have been pleased by his side’s commitment and spirit and they now return to home turf for this crucial clash with Birmingham City, needing all three points to keep in touch with the likes of Millwall, Wigan Athletic and Reading who are immediately above them.
Rotherham continue to give it everything as they bid to avoid the drop down to League One, but although they’ve recorded recent home wins against Blackburn Rovers and Nottingham Forest, The Millers continue to leak goals at the other end.
Goals have also featured at home on a frequent basis too as 16 of their 21 home matches to date have seen both teams score.
Visitors Birmingham City will confirm their Championship safety if they avoid defeat away at Rotherham on Monday as they sit in 18th place and hold a commanding seven point cushion above their hosts with just three league matches remaining of the season.
Even a draw will guarantee Birmingham’s Championship status for another season which seems an absurd statement given a few weeks ago, The Blues still had an outside chance of making it into the play-offs.
However, a miserable and worrying run of five defeats on the trot in the Championship, along with the recent 9-point deduction put paid to any lingering hopes that the west midlands club had of a top six finish, and instead, they find themselves having to stave off relegation once again.
Since the points penalty was handed down to Birmingham though, Gary Monk’s side have once again shown their resilience by putting together a four-match unbeaten run which includes a 1-0 win over automatic promotion chasing Leeds United, along with points picked up in score-draws with Sheffield United, Ipswich Town and Derby County in 1-1, 1-1 and 2-2 draws respectively.
With just two away wins from their last nine away matches though, Birmingham are by no means guaranteed the points here, but 13 of their 21 away matches have seen both teams score as The Blues have scored and conceded on a regular basis.
Both teams to score here therefore looks likely.