Birmingham vs Norwich predictions: Desperate Blues must win for survival
- Blues are in relegation zone going into final day
- Norwich are fifth and set for play-offs
- Recommended bet: Birmingham to win
Birmingham go into the final day in the Championship against Norwich knowing a win at home might not be enough to save them from relegation.
Blues are in the dropzone and drew 1-1 at fellow strugglers Huddersfield last weekend — a result that all-but confirmed Town as down — but the visitors' failure to pick up maximum points means they now need help from others on Saturday to survive.
Gary Rowett's side need a victory against the Canaries first of all, then they must hope Plymouth, who are one place and one point above, lose at home to Hull City, who still have hopes of making the play-offs.
Failing that, Blackburn, who are 19th, could also go down with Rotherham and Huddersfield as they sit three points ahead of Blues but the two clubs have the same goal-difference.
Therefore, if City beat Norwich and Rovers lose at already-promoted Leicester, former Birmingham manager John Eustace could take Blackburn down and see his old club survive.
It remains finely poised but the fact Birmingham do not have their fate in their own hands going into the final day shows how poor they have been this season.
Norwich, meanwhile, are virtually assured of a play-off place as only a remarkable set of circumstances would see them miss out on the top six.
They sit fifth and would need to lose, see West Brom beat Preston at home and then also watch the Tigers manage a goal-difference swing of seven on Saturday to not make the play-offs.
Team news
Rowett does not have too many injury issues going into the do-or-die Canaries clash with only long-term absentee Alfie Chang definitely ruled out.
Oliver Burke has been struggling with a knock this week and will be given a late fitness test, while on-loan Cody Drameh could earn a recall to the matchday squad.
For the visitors, Onel Hernandez, Dimitris Giannoulis and Liam Gibbs will all sit out this clash, but there is hope that Giannoulis could be fit for the play-offs if Norwich make it.
The stats
Birmingham have won two of their last three home games, beating Preston 1-0 and Coventry 3-0.
Norwich won the earlier game between the two sides 2-0 at Carrow Road.
Norwich have only won two of their last nine away games in the Championship.
Prediction
Birmingham have had the spectre of relegation hanging over them for the past few years, never mind just these recent months.
Now, they need a victory and others to help them if they want to avoid the agony of slipping into the third tier.
Blues should be able to keep their side of the bargain at least by seeing off Norwich.
They have failed to win 'must-win' games recently at Rotherham and Huddersfield but, crucially, this is at St Andrew's and a revved up home crowd can help Rowett's men, just like they did in recent important victories at home over Preston and Coventry.
The Canaries are almost assured of a play-off place but must guard against a big defeat if they are to have any final-day nerves.
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