Promotion permutations: Birmingham City’s route to the Championship before Wembley final
Birmingham City are rapidly closing on a return to the Championship by winning the League One title
Birmingham City are on the cusp of returning to the Championship after running away with the League One title.
Blues have accumulated 89 points with eight games to play, meaning they only require eight more to guarantee promotion back to the Championship.
In all but one of the last 10 League One seasons, 90 points has been enough to guarantee a place in the top two.
There is a scenario where Blues’ promotion could even be confirmed before they travel to Wembley next weekend for the Vertu Trophy final against Peterborough United.
Blues have two League One matches to play beforehand against Barnsley at St Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park on Saturday before travelling to Peterborough on Tuesday for a rearranged match.
Meanwhile, second-placed Wrexham – who are 11 points behind Blues having played two games more – host Burton Albion this weekend, and third-placed Wycombe travel to Reading.
Two victories for Blues over Barnsley and Peterborough, coupled with one of their promotion rivals slipping up, would see Chris Davies’ side promoted before they visit Wembley on April 13.
Can Blues be promoted before Wembley?
- If Wrexham fail to beat Burton this weekend or Wycombe fail to beat Reading, Blues will be promoted if they beat Barnsley and Peterborough to reach 95 points.
- If Wycombe beat Reading but fail to win at Huddersfield on Tuesday, Blues will be promoted with wins over Barnsley and Peterborough.
Blues have the League One points record in their sights and need five wins from their remaining eight games to eclipse Wolves’ tally of 103 from the 2013/14 season. Should Blues win six of their remaining eight games, they will take the EFL points record from Reading.