{"id":559046,"date":"2020-07-22T00:16:44","date_gmt":"2020-07-22T04:16:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonfootball.com\/?p=559046"},"modified":"2020-08-21T12:09:04","modified_gmt":"2020-08-21T16:09:04","slug":"birmingham-city-host-derby-county-in-must-win-match","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2020\/07\/22\/birmingham-city-host-derby-county-in-must-win-match\/","title":{"rendered":"Birmingham City Host Derby County in Must-Win Match"},"content":{"rendered":"

Birmingham City<\/a> take on Derby County<\/a> knowing that a draw should be enough to secure their Championship status for another season. They welcome Midlands neighbours Derby for the final fixture of a very unique season.<\/p>\n

Birmingham City Host Derby County in Pivotal Match<\/h2>\n

Blues Halfway to Safety<\/h3>\n

Birmingham come into the clash needing to pick up points to ensure Championship<\/a> survival; however, that has been alien to them as of late.<\/p>\n

The second city side are winless in 13 league matches, last earning three points back in February.<\/p>\n

They take on a Derby side who no longer have anything to play for this season after falling short in their play-off bid. Phillip Cocu<\/a>‘s side won the reverse fixture 3-2 back in September but much has changed for both clubs since then.<\/p>\n

A Woeful Few Months for Birmingham City<\/h3>\n

The Blues are being led by caretaker managers Craig Gardner<\/a> and Steve Spooner since Pep Clotet left St Andrew’s earlier this month<\/a>. Just seven points from their last 13 matches is what many would describe as ‘relegation form’, but as of yet, they have not fallen into the dropzone.<\/p>\n

Currently sitting in 20th place, on 50 points, a draw with Derby would be enough to keep Birmingham up, unless Luton Town<\/a> won by a margin of 10 goals. The Hatters are two points further back with a much inferior goal difference.<\/p>\n

A win would make things much more straightforward though, with the Blues then out of the reach of the chasing pack.<\/p>\n

However, Birmingham City have conceded three goals in five of their last six home matches, something they won’t want to repeat when Derby come to town.<\/p>\n

Derby Could Ruin Birmingham’s Day<\/h3>\n

Despite having nothing to play for in regards to the 2019\/20 season, the Rams will want to finish with a flourish. Cocu’s men have not won in five matches following a tough run of games against five of the top six sides. Leeds United<\/a>, the latest of those, inflicting a 3-1 defeat at Pride Park last Sunday.<\/p>\n

A win will allow Derby to head into the summer break with optimism and offer some positivity after what has been a challenging season on and off the pitch. The Rams are in the midst of a rebuilding process and it would come as no surprise to see some youngsters handed valuable first-team minutes at St Andrew’s.<\/p>\n

Tom Lawrence<\/a> Unavailable for the Rams<\/h3>\n

Derby County will play their final match of the season without winger Tom Lawrence<\/a>. The Welshman went off after just six minutes when he injured his shoulder in a challenge during Derby’s loss to champions Leeds. Midfielder Duane Holmes<\/a> is also not expected to make a return having missed the last three matches.<\/p>\n

The Blues look set to be without both Jake Clarke-Salter<\/a> and Josh McEachran<\/a> once again whilst Jeremie Bela<\/a> could be recalled.<\/p>\n

Wednesday evening’s match marks the last game in a Blues shirt for midfielder Jude Bellingham<\/a> after he completed his move to Borussia Dortmund<\/a> earlier this week.<\/p>\n

Main Photo
\nEmbed from Getty Images<\/a>