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Festive fixtures compared as new challenger to Birmingham City emerges in League One title race
The hectic Christmas schedule presents the opportunity for Birmingham City to pull clear of the pack in the League One title race.
Blues are currently third, one point behind league leaders Wycombe Wanderers with a game-in-hand, and have their destiny in their own hands. But there are a clutch of contenders, right the way down to seventh-placed Bolton, who believe they have what it takes to finish inside the top two.
With five games in 18 days on the horizon, teams have the chance to steal a march on their rivals. A run of wins at this time of year could easily put six points between first and third at the end of play on New Year’s Day.
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Blues endured a miserable Christmas last year with two points from five games resulting in Wayne Rooney’s sacking on January 2. You can bet your bottom dollar they will be more productive this time around.
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Here’s a look at who Blues and their rivals are playing over the festive period…
Birmingham City
Position: 3rd
Festive fixtures: Bristol Rovers (h), Crawley (a), Burton (h), Blackpool (h), Stockport (a)
Blues have a favourable quintet of matches featuring four sides currently in the bottom half of the table and two inside the relegation zone. The five teams Blues face this Christmas have an average league position of 16th.
Stockport away on New Year’s Day is undoubtedly the most daunting match Blues face in this period. Bristol Rovers have only won two of their last eight league games, while Burton have only won two all season. It’s two wins in 10 League One matches for Blackpool who Blues’ second string beat in the FA Cup recently.
Crawley are currently on a five-game unbeaten run in the league which has given their chances of avoiding relegation a shot in the arm. The Red Devils, who boast the second highest average possession in the league after Blues, have recently picked up wins over Charlton and Rotherham.
Wycombe Wanderers
Position: 1st
Festive fixtures: Shrewsbury (a), Bolton (h), Stevenage (a), Charlton (a), Exeter (h)
Wycombe have slipped up with back-to-back draws after eight straight league wins propelled them to top spot. Blues know the dangers of Shrewsbury away, even if Salop have reverted to type with successive defeats since their big day on November 23.
Bolton are among the best travellers in League One having won half of their eight matches while Stevenage have one of the best home records. Charlton have rarely reached the standards they set against Blues back in October but they are a match for anyone on their day. Exeter are another team capable of causing Wycombe problems.
Wrexham
Position: 2nd
Festive fixtures: Cambridge (h), Bristol Rovers (a), Blackpool (h), Wigan (h), Barnsley (a)
Wrexham’s fixture list is kind. Wrexham have taken 28 points from a possible 30 at home so Cambridge, Blackpool and Wigan won’t be relishing a trip to Wales. Equally, Bristol Rovers and Barnsley are no great shakes on home turf.
The average league position of Wrexham’s five opponents is 16th, the same as the teams Blues face this Christmas.
Huddersfield Town
Position: 4th
Festive fixtures: Lincoln (h), Cambridge (a), Stockport (h), Burton (h), Wigan (a)
The Terriers have hit form in recent weeks under Michael Duff to creep up on the top three. Huddersfield have recorded seven wins and two draws from their nine league matches since their defeat to Blues on October 1.
Huddersfield were expected to be Blues’ main challenger before the season started and it may yet pan out that way. The average position of the five teams they meet over Christmas is 15.6.
Stockport County
Position: 5th
Festive fixtures: Stevenage (a), Peterborough (h), Huddersfield (a), Rotherham (a), Blues (h)
Stockport have a tricky run of fixtures on paper. As mentioned above, Stevenage are strong on home turf and Peterborough, albeit in the midst of a poor season, have quality in abundance. Huddersfield and Blues are the two form teams in the league and sandwiched in the middle is Rotherham away, which isn’t the difficult away game many expected it to be in pre-season. The Millers have won just once in nine matches at their New York Stadium.
Reading
Position: 6th
Festive fixtures: Blackpool (h), Lincoln (a), Northampton (h), Mansfield (h), Cambridge (a)
Reading have just lost their manager Ruben Selles to Championship side Hull City having exceeded most people’s expectations. Their performance at St Andrew’s on the opening day suggested they would be a team to watch this season and so it has proved.
Their fixture list isn’t the most daunting at the time of writing. Ninth-placed Lincoln are their strongest opponent. Mansfield, who were among the early promotion chasers, have lost their last five league games.
Bolton Wanderers
Position: 7th
Festive fixtures: Wigan (h), Wycombe (a), Barnsley (h), Lincoln (h), Mansfield (a)
Bolton are in the conversation by virtue of having a game-in-hand on every team except Blues. Whilst the Trotters have endured some heavy defeats, they have won eight of their last 12 league games. Wigan are the only side Bolton face over Christmas that aren’t currently in the top 10 of League One.
