The big relegation matches - losers revealed!

"Let's put it this way - if we can't beat Derby, it will be hard to take," sneered Reading coach Kevin Dillon, apparently of the belief that after two years in the Premier League his team are now veterans who have a divine right to beat one of the only two teams below them in the table.

 

Big mistake Mr Dillon - no relation of Kevin Dillon of Entourage and Platoon fame.

 

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Birmingham
Last six: LDLDLW
Last six league games: LDLDLW
Last six league home games: DDWDWD
Injuries: McFadden (knee, doubtful), Ridgewell (sprained ankle, doubtful), Nafti (thigh muscle, doubtful), O'Connor (thigh muscle, May 31)

Suspensions: None

Blackburn
Last six: WWDLDD
Last six league games: WWDLDD
Last six league away games: WLDLWL
Injuries: McCarthy (hamstring, doubtful)
Suspensions: None

Eight reasons Birmingham are going down:

1. Blackburn have lost just two of their last eleven league games while Birmingham haven't won any of their last five and only two of their last eighteen.

2. Despite being unbeaten in seven home matches, only Derby (one) have won fewer home games than Birmingham (five).

3. chickendinner superfact: Blackburn have won three of their last four matches against Birmingham.

4. Birmingham have gone eighteen games without a clean sheet, longer than anyone else in the Premier League.

5. Which would mean Birmingham needing to score at least twice to win, something they've done in just five of their last twenty-three games.

6. And despite losing just one of their last eleven home games, they've only actually won three.

7. The Blues have also failed to win any of their home games against the top eight this season.

8. While Blackburn have a record of one defeat in nine away against bottom-half teams, which is tied with Manchester United's and Liverpool's as the second-best in the league.

Portsmouth
Last six: LLLDWW
Last six league games: LLLDWW
Last six league home games: LDWWWW
Injuries: James (calf, May 17), Pamarot (knee, May 31), Primus (knee, June 30)
Suspensions: None

Fulham
Last six: WWLWLD
Last six league games: WWLWLD
Last six league away games: WWDLDL
Injuries: Niemi (achilles, May 31)

Suspensions: None

Five reasons it will be a nerve-wracking draw for Fulham:

1. chickendinner superfact: Portsmouth have not lost back-to-back home games all season.

2. Two of the last three Portsmouth/Fulham clashes have finished level.

3. Portsmouth have drawn eight of their eighteen home games this season - no club has drawn more.

4. And Fulham have drawn seven of their eighteen away games - a record surpassed only by Aston Villa and Tottenham (eight).

5. Fulham haven't won three consecutive away games in their Premier League history.

Derby
Last six: LLLLLD
Last six league games: LLLLLD
Last six league home games: LLDLDL
Injuries: McEveley (hamstring, doubtful), Jones (calf, doubtful), Leacock (hamstring, doubtful), Stubbs (knee, May 31), Davis (knee, May 31), Mills (knee, June 30), Barnes (knee, August)
Suspensions: None

Reading
Last six: LDLLLD
Last six league games: LDLLLD
Last six league away games: DLLLWL
Injuries: Little (calf muscle, doubt)
Suspensions: None

Five reasons why Derby will draw to relegate Reading:

1. Derby drew their home league games with the three sides directly above Reading.

2. Reading have won just one of their eighteen away games this season, losing thirteen.

3. They haven't scored a league goal in their last six games.

4. Reading have taken just one point from their four other away trips to teams in the bottom six.

5. chickendinner superfact: Reading have won on just one of their last five trips to Derby.